Thursday Nov 08 2007 12:13
Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has ended speculation surrounding his future by insisting he is happy to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
The 31-year-old Brazil international has started just six games for the Gunners this season after losing his place in the heart of the midfield to Mathieu Flamini.
However, despite reports suggesting the former Atletico Mineiro midfielder was unhappy with a lack of first-team opportunities and an occasional role as a makeshift defender, Gilberto claims he wants to remain with the club.
Speaking about his reported unhappiness, he told the club's official website: "It's not true.
"If I have said something to Arsene (Wenger) it would never come out in the papers.
"I would go to him and speak to him face-to-face. We have great respect for each other.
"The only thing I can say is this is not true. Everyone knows I'm not 100 per cent happy to be on the bench, that's normal.
"But I'm being professional and doing my job. I respect everybody in the squad, I respect him and I respect his decision. It's the only thing I can do.
"I am not thinking about leaving now. I've said that I'm happy at the club. Of course my situation is not very comfortable on the bench. But I'm still not thinking about leaving the club.
"I prefer to think that I have the condition to get back in the team. I will do my job, do my best to achieve that. This is what I have in mind."
Gilberto, who has made over 200 appearances in five years with the Gunners, is also hoping to extend his contract which still has 18 months left to run.
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