Arsene Wenger has revealed that Gilberto Silva is unlikely to appear for Arsenal until September.
The Brazilian, passed over for the vacant role of captain in favour of William Gallas, was given an extended break after guiding his country to the final of the Copa America and has only just returned to North London.
"Gilberto is not ready," Wenger confirmed. "We have a three-week plan to build him up again. He did not play the last game of the Copa America and had three and a half weeks off. It will take two or three weeks to get him ready. If you don't do that he will suffer during rest of the season."
Besides the absent Gilberto, Emmanuel Adebayor is the only member of Arsenal's first-team squad ruled out of Sunday's match with Reading. The striker is still recovering from a thigh strain.
Meanwhile, Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood has reiterated his confidence that Wenger will soon sign a contract extension.
"Arsène Wenger is the man behind that style and, at the moment, his new contract is often being talked about. But I don't see any problems with the situation and I think it will be agreed in the not too distant future," he told the club's official website.
"I'm sure he's happy here and he's building a great team which is exciting for everyone. It's a young team but actually now an experienced young team who've played a couple of seasons for us and I think they will give a very good account of themselves this term."
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