SYLVINHO

Brazilian full backs are rarely from the solid, defensive mould, and Arsenal fans often compared Silvinho (full name Silvio Mendes Campos Junior) to compatriot Roberto Carlos during his ultimately short stay at Highbury. Signed by Arsene Wenger from Corinthians for £4m in the summer of 1999 to provide cover for the ageing Nigel Winterburn, the skilful left back quickly became a favourite with the Gunners faithful thanks to his attacking style of play and lethal left foot. He was a virtual ever-present in his first season, helping the Gunners to a second place Premiership finish. His first goal arrived in the penultimate game of the campaign, a 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Highbury; a result that saw The Owls relegated. Silvinho was also a vital part of the squad that reached the Final of the UEFA Cup that season but, despite his best efforts in Copenhagen, Turkish giants Galatasaray triumphed on penalties after a goalless draw. Silvinho's second season in England coincided with the emergence of Ashley Cole, meaning the Brazilian saw his first team chances limited and when he was picked it was often on the left side of midfield.

Despite being in and out of the team, he still managed four goals, including the winner in a UEFA Champions League match at Sparta Prague. Perhaps Silvinho's most famous moment in an Arsenal shirt came in September 2000, when he produced a stunning, swerving left footed strike to beat Carlo Cudicini and earn Arsenal, who had been 2-0 down, a point at Stamford Bridge. But by the end of that campaign, just as Silvinho had surpassed Winterburn in Wenger's plans, so Cole had overtaken the Brazilian, and he wasn't even in the squad that fell to Michael Owen's late double in the first Cardiff FA Cup Final in May 2001. That summer Silvinho was sold to Spanish side Celta Vigo for £3.5m. After playing there for three years he moved to Barcelona, for whom he was an unused substitute in their UEFA Champions League Final win over the Gunners in Paris in May 2006. (Mark Jones)