Gilberto has admitted he is sad to be leaving Arsenal after trading the Emirates for Greek side Panathanaikos.

The Brazil captain spent six successful years with the Gunners, winning one league title and two FA Cups, but after receiving no guarantees from Arsene Wenger that he would feature heavily in the upcoming season, decided to leave for regular football elsewhere. And the 31-year-old admitted it was hard to call time on a 'fantastic' spell with the club.

"I feel a bit sad, you know. I like many, many people at Arsenal and it has been fantastic this last six years at the club," Gilberto told Arsenal TV Online. "The good thing between us, me and Arsene, is that we have been clear in our conversation to play, which is normal because in the season before I played a big part.

"He told me in case I decide to leave he wouldn't stop me. It was my decision, he wanted me to stay, but at the end I didn't know, to be honest, if I would have a chance to play.

"Then I had this opportunity at Panathinaikos and I felt it was a great one in terms of playing games and a contract.

"I have three years there, when I only had one year left at Arsenal. I considered all these things to get this opportunity.

"It is fantastic because even though I haven't played much this year, at this stage [of my career] I have this opportunity to play in another club.

"It means over the years I have done the job well and people still believe in me."

[Guardian-Series]

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