Gilberto frustrated on bench

Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva has admitted he is frustrated with life on the Arsenal bench as Frenchman Mathieu Flamini has taken his place in the side. Since returning from the Copa America, Gilberto has found Flamini ahead of him in the pecking order at the Emirates.

"Yes, it has been so frustrating," Gilberto told the club's official website.

"I am on the bench not because of my quality or something like that but because I came back late, it is so hard”.

"The only thing I need to do is do my job, respect the manager's decision, and respect the other players and the way they play at the moment.

"It is the first time I haven't been in the team. I confess to you it has been so hard for me”.

"Of course I want to come back and play again in my position in central midfield. But you need to respect that Mathieu and Cesc are playing very well”.

"It is visible to everybody and I need to respect the manager's decision. I will do my best to return to the team. I will see in the next few games what will happen."