Gilberto: Boardroom war won't distract the players

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The Brazilian midfielder, who excelled as a makeshift centre back in the 3-1 defeat of Portsmouth that sent Arsenal to second place in the table, has insisted that new controversy over foreign investment in the club will not distract the players.

Gilberto Silva holds off Kanu at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

It is understood that Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov will this week seek a meeting with the Arsenal board of directors after paying £75million for the 14.58 per cent stake held by former vice-chairman David Dein.

But Gilberto said: "As players we don't know exactly what the problem is with the board, if there is any problem.

"The only thing we have on our minds as players is to keep doing our job and not to get involved in those other things. It is important we continue the good start we have made, especially at home."

Last season Arsenal claimed just five points from their first three home games. This term they have a maximum of nine points from wins over Fulham, Manchester City and now Portsmouth.

Goalpocher's finish: Cesc Fabregas gave the Gunners a 2-0 lead

Gilberto said: "We all realise how hard it was for us last season after we made such a bad start. In the end we couldn't catch up with the teams above us. We don't want the same thing to happen again."