Last Thursday morning, I read that Gilberto Silva had been linked to a move to Juventus. Arsenal News Review has reported that David Dein and Roberto Bettega have met to discuss a deal whilst Gazzetta dello Sport claims that an agreement has already been reached.

When Arsene Wenger moved Gilberto and Kolo Toure in the match against PSV I wondered whether he did that to accommodate Denilson. On reflection, I believe he did so because he had no right-backs available. I usually prefer to see a utility player plug any gap rather than move two regular players because that is less disruptive to the team, especially when those players are key men like Toure and Gilberto. But Wenger's hands were tied somewhat because his utility man, Matthieu Flamini, was also missing -- a factor why he also moved Philippe Senderos to right-back the week before against Blackburn.

Friend and fellow columnist David Faber suggested that Gilberto's temporary move to centre back may be a sign of things to come to accommodate Abou Diaby and Denilson, a point also picked up by Goodplaya.com:

     "Goodplaya: So are we looking at a back four of William Gallas, Gilberto, Kolo and Gael Clichy? If so, I’m not objecting."

I would not be adverse to Gilberto at centre-back but only on a temporary basis. His versatility, though, is an extra bow to his game, especially considering the numerous other centre-midfield options Wenger has. Those options include Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby, Denilson, Flamini, Alexandre Song and Fabrice Muamba. Long-term, Wenger will have to prune that selection to four or five but he doesn't need to do that yet; choose between young prospects, especially if one or two are again on loan.

In the long term, Diaby and Fabregas looks the logical pairing because Diaby can tackle and win a ball, an element where Gilberto and Fabregas are limited. It's not that Arsenal need possession to win games but with a tackler they can spring counter-attacks like Patrick Vieira used to do. From 2002 to 2004, however I liked the variation Arsenal could call upon in the middle with Vieira, Gilberto, Edu and Ray Parlour. Next season we have Fabregas, Diaby, Gilberto and Denilson.