GILBERTO SILVA has blasted Didier Drogba for claiming Arsenal are no longer title challengers.
Chelsea striker Drogba reckons the Gunners will struggle following Thierry HenryÂ’s move to Barcelona.
But Brazil midfielder Gilberto — set to be named Emirates skipper next season — reacted furiously to Drogba’s comments.
Speaking while on Copa America duty in Venezuela, Gilberto, 30, rapped: “So Drogba said we’re already out of the title race, did he? Well, let’s wait and see what happens.
“What I do know is last season Chelsea spent a fortune on new signings and still couldn’t beat Arsenal once in the league.
“They didn’t defend their title either, so I think Drogba is talking a little bit too much.”
Croatia hitman Eduardo da Silva, who was born in Brazil, has been rushed in as HenryÂ’s replacement and Gilberto likes the purchase.
He added: “We played against him in the Champions League. He appears to be a good player and a great striker but we’ll have to see how he settles in and adapts to English football.
“I think he could do well. It will also be excellent to have someone in the team who speaks Portuguese.
“We’ll lose a heck of a lot without Henry. He was our main player, the captain, the top scorer.
“It’s true that replacing him will be no simple task. But we can’t go through the kind of spell as we did when Patrick Vieira went to Italy.
“He was the leader of the squad and it took us time to adapt to playing without him. We don’t want that again.”
The Premiership is braced for a Brazilian invasion next term — with Anderson at Manchester United, Alex at Chelsea and Lucas at Liverpool.
Gilberto added: “That means the Brazilians here have done a good job and opened the doors for others to come.
“Anderson, Alex and Lucas are great players. I wish them all the luck in the world. Except against Arsenal, that is!”
Aw,a TRUE capt
