Gilberto Silva Added to Thierry Henry on Arsenal's Coaching Wish List

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has divulged that he could be the latest Gunners alumnus to join the club's coaching staff on the same day that Thierry Henry announced his retirement from football.

Arsene Wenger could see two of his former disciples join his technical staff in 2015, with Gilberto revealing to Brazilian daily Globo Esporte (h/t Daily Mail's Jonny Singer) he's already been invited back to the Emirates:

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I have had an invitation, yes. Anything is possible, it makes me happy when you have these invitations, people see you with a different profile, you can contribute. It makes me happy and motivated, and it makes me want to learn from others, seek knowledge and develop my own style.

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Unlike former team-mate Henry, Gilberto is yet to hang up his boots altogether and is currently a free agent, but his injection of anchoring midfield knowledge would be a welcome addition for Wenger at present.

The Gunners' engine room has been depleted of late, with captain Mikel Arteta recently being joined by Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere on the injury list.

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Gilberto could become part of an Invincibles reunion that involves Henry's return. The Frenchman has agreed to do some punditry work for Sky Sports but an Arsenal comeback has surely moved nearer following his departure from the playing side.

Upon announcement of his exit from the pitch, Arsenal posted a graphic detailing the striker's career statistics and a collection of his most iconic images as a Gunner:

Oliver Kay of The Times paid tribute to Henry while the official Premier League Twitter account sent a reminder of the impact he left on the English scoring records:

Gilberto may not boast as grand a reputation in the English top flight, but the Brazilian holds a firm connection with the club after spending six years in north London.

Singer added that Gilberto is eager to establish a career in management when he does eventually retire. What better place to begin that pursuit than the scene of the unbeaten Premier League campaign of 2003-04, arguably his best career achievement?

Wenger brought Gilberto to the English capital in 2002 following his displays for Brazil in the triumphant 2002 World Cup, going on to make 244 appearances for the club, according to Arsenal's official website.

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As much as Henry would, Gilberto could bring a sense of fearlessness to Wenger's current crop and a battling attitude that recent seasons suggest might have been lost.

The constant struggle to compete for top-four placement instead of for the Premier League title itself has grown tiresome on some sections of the club's support, a feeling Gilberto didn't have to grow used to during his tenure.

For now, Wenger will have to go without his former general's influence and settle for the current coaching staff, but supporters can rest easy in the knowledge that the club has the intention of adding his nous to their backroom.