25 May 2023 , 17:04
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Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva left a fan starstruck before reuniting the supporter with a friend he had not seen in a decade.
Brazil international Gilberto, who captained the Gunners on a number of occasions and was part of the Invincibles squad, has returned to London to work with the club in the years since his 2014 retirement. Part of his ambassadorial work has seen him take part in shirt sponsor Emirates' 'Global Gooners' initiative.
The initiative is aimed at reuniting Arsenal fans from around the world. In the case of the former midfielder, this meant leaving a supporter from Kenya completely starstruck after greeting him at the airport before the big reunion.
In a video shared by the club, Gilberto introduces Adrian Ntwatwa, a 33-year-old Arsenal fan who lives in Kenya. As part of a matchday experience in North London, the supporter is reunited with his London-based friend and fellow Gooner Sam Rugunda.
Gilberto greets Adrian in the airport arrivals' section, prompting the fan to admit to being "starstruck" upon seeing the Brazilian. "My dream's already been made, I can go back right now" he jokes.
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Adrian and Sam are then taken to the Emirates Stadium for a tour, posing for photos with Gilberto before heading down to greet some of the players as they arrive. The fans get to see Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes before heading up to their seats to take in the game.
Arsenal fan Adrian admitted to being starstruck on seeing Gilberto (Emirates/Arsenal FC)"They say don't meet your heroes, but they've never met him [Gilberto], clearly," Adrian says. "I've just been so excited, it's been the ultimate matchday experience."
Sadly for Sam and Adrian, the result on the pitch wasn't quite what they'd hoped for. Arsenal hosted Brighton knowing they needed three points to keep their title dream alive, only for the Seagulls to hit three second-half goals to claim victory.
Another defeat in the next game, away to Nottingham Forest, saw Manchester City mathematically confirmed as champions. Mikel Arteta's side are still guaranteed second spot, though, and have been given an extra boost with star Bukayo Saka signing a long-term contract extension.
Adrian and Sam were given Arsenal shirts as part of their matchday experience (Emirates/Arsenal FC)“I have seen a lot of change," Saka said upon agreeing his new deal. "I’ve seen this team and the club grow, and one thing that everyone around us can be excited about is that we are going in the right direction.
“Time is on our side. You can look at our team and a lot of the players are young. We’re hungry, and a lot of us haven’t won trophies at Arsenal so we want to achieve big things. If you watch the way we all speak, we want to win and we want to win here.
“It’s been too long since this club has had Champions League football. I’m really looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday nights in this stadium, the atmosphere is going to be special.”