Midfielder Arsene Wenger signed for £4.5m says he was better than both Patrick Vieira and Declan Rice at Arsenal

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Arsenal have had several world-class midfielders over the years.

From the likes of Paul Merson, Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira to Cesc Fabregas, Mesut Ozil, Martin Odegaard and now Declan Rice, the Gunners have had some excellent players in the middle of the park.

Wenger was always an advocate of having good midfielders in his sides, and Mikel Arteta seems to have inherited that from his former boss.

Rice is Arsenal’s best player in midfield now, but one of Wenger’s old signings believes he was even better back in the day.

Gilberto Silva says he was better than Declan Rice and Patrick Vieira

Arsenal signed Gilberto Silva from Atletico Mineiro for £4.5 million in the summer of 2002 (BBC).

The Brazilian caught Wenger’s eye during the World Cup that year, and the legendary Gunners boss wrapped up a deal to get him.

Gilberto spent six years as an Arsenal player. He played 244 games under Wenger and helped the club win five trophies, including the iconic Invincibles Premier League title.

Now 48, Gilberto often appears in the media, and he has made a big claim.

In a video on MailSport, the World Cup winner played a game of winner stays on, where he had to pick between two players put in front of him, one of which was himself.

Gilberto chose himself over everyone, including Rice, Vieira, Steven Gerrard and even Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

What Arsene Wenger really felt about Gilberto Silva

Gilberto was an outstanding player during his time at Arsenal.

The Brazilian made everyone around him better, and it was his presence that allowed Vieira to become a box-to-box great.

He had such a big impact but such low recognition that Wenger called Gilberto his most underrated signing of all time.

“He was naturally discreet. I remember when I bought him in 2002, he was in Japan at the World Cup. I looked at him and thought, ‘he doesn’t make anything special’,” Wenger said.

“…And then to think ‘Who won this ball?’ Gilberto Silva, ‘Who played this ball?’ Gilberto Silva.

“I tried to buy him, and after that, I would say, in the Invincibles, nobody speaks about Gilberto. He’s the kind of player that you see only how much you miss them when they don’t play. When they play, you find it all natural.”