Few managers have shaped a club quite like Arsene Wenger did during his reign at Arsenal. Across more than two decades in north London, he assembled and developed an exceptional group of players, including stars such as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira.
His tenure delivered multiple trophies, unforgettable moments, and, most famously, the unbeaten 2003/04 league campaign that earned Arsenal a unique gold Premier League trophy.
However, beyond the headline names and highlight-reel brilliance, Wenger’s squads were also built on players whose influence was more subtle but no less crucial. These were footballers who sacrificed individual acclaim for the balance and cohesion of the team.
Looking back on his time at the club, Wenger identified the most overlooked player he coached at Arsenal — a central midfielder who played a pivotal role in the legendary ‘Invincibles’ season.
Gilberto Silva the Most Underrated Player He Coached
Gilberto Silva
In an interview with SPORTBible, Wenger was asked who the most underrated player he had ever coached might be, and he showed little hesitation when naming Brazilian icon, Gilberto Silva.
"Gilberto Silva. He was naturally discreet. I remember when I bought him in 2002 he was in Japan at the World Cup. I looked at him and I thought he doesn’t make anything special but then you think who won that ball and it’s Gilberto Silva, or who made that pass and it’s Gilberto Silva.
"I went to buy him and after that I would say in the Invincibles nobody speaks about him but he’s the kind of player you see only how much they miss them when they don’t play. When they play they find it all natural."
Overshadowed by Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira
Indeed, it was after Silva's stellar form in Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning campaign that landed him on the shortlist of many top European clubs, including Arsenal. It was the Gunners who won the race, adding a new midfielder to a talented squad that went on to win two FA Cups and an unbeaten Premier League title.
Silva himself achieved some memorable feats - he famously netted the first-ever Arsenal goal at the Emirates with a late equalizer against Aston Villa. With over 240 appearances for the club during their golden era, he is undoubtedly a bonafide club legend. However, standing out alongside Patrick Vieira, one of the greatest midfielders in football history, is never an easy task, which is effectively why Silva may not receive the credit he truly deserves.
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