Days without Vieira

(Adpated from World SoccerNews.com)

Arsenal took so long to adjust to life without Patrick Vieira that by the time they "woke up" any chance of winning the Premiership had all but disappeared, Gilberto has admitted.

Arsenal go into the holiday period a huge 20 points behind leaders and reigning champions Chelsea.

Before the season began they saw former skipper Vieira leave in a 13.7 million pounds move to Juventus after several attempts by Real Madrid to lure him to Spain from Highbury had proved unsuccessful.

In the France World Cup-winner's absence Arsenal dropped 10 points in their first four away games, Vieira's power and experience badly missed in midfield.

Gilberto, who played alongside Vieira, said Friday: "We struggled a bit at the start of the season with injuries, suspensions and Patrick's departure had a big impact on us.

"We worried a bit too much about his departure and when we woke up we had lost some games and it was very difficult for us.

"Patrick was a fantastic leader for us and, when he left, it was difficult for us to accept his decision at the beginning.

"Of course, we respected it but it was still very difficult when we came to the training ground and Patrick was not here. It was different."

Gilberto's Brazilian international team-mate Edu also left at the end of last season, leaving inexperienced duo Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini to bolster midfield.

Asked what Arsenal missed without Vieira and Edu, Gilberto said Friday: "The experience of both players in the middle of the park because you need to be really strong in this particular part of the pitch.

"Sometimes it can decide a game. They were also important for the team because they brought good things to the dressing room that made the atmosphere good and, when someone was down, they lifted us.

"It was not just about football."

Arsenal, who travel to London rivals Charlton on Monday, have lost their last three Premiership matches and Gilberto said it was time for the senior players to lead from the front.

"Certain things happen in football that you have to accept. It's life. We need to carry on, play without Patrick and support the young players and ourselves and be together all the time," he insisted.

Gilberto put his words into action during the recent League Cup quarter-final win over Doncaster where his last-minute equaliser in extra-time led to the Gunners' penalty shoot-out victory.

But ahead of the trip to The Valley, he stressed: "The experienced players need to lift the team. We need to get our confidence back.

"It's been quite frustrating for us because in a couple of games, it didn't work like we had practised. When it doesn't come, it's more psychological than technical.

"But we just have to work harder than before. These results get you a little bit down. You need to do something more to what you normally do.

"These are anxious moments but the team is strong, there is a mixture of youth and experience and, above all, we need to believe in ourselves."

And while the Premiership title may be out of sight, Gilberto said Arsenal still had plenty to aim for in the second-half of the season.

"Everyone knows the Premiership is very difficult for us but we will not give up. We will try to improve and we still have the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and, of course, the Champions League."