Arsene Wenger maintains Gilberto Silva is a “100% professional” and ready to take his place among a youthful Arsenal side in the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Sheffield United tomorrow night.

The veteran Brazilian captain has played only a fringe role this season as Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas have forged a formidable partnership in central midfield.

Wenger has often asked the 31-year-old to fill in at centre-half when needed and, with Philippe Senderos nursing a back problem, looked likely to do so again at Bramall Lane.

However, reports suggested Gilberto was unhappy with his continued deployment away from midfield and was set to be left out of tomorrow’s game altogether as a result, fuelling speculation he could leave when the transfer window opens in January.

However, Wenger, said, “I deny that categorically. I find this assessment disrespectful to a great professional like Gilberto. He is 100% professional and is in the squad for tomorrow. He will play.”

“I believe that as a manager and as a player you always have one thing in your mind and that is what is good for the club and the team and I cannot fault Gilberto on that since he arrived here. Recently he has played less, but his mentality has been superb."

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are pressing for a place in the starting XI for the tie after coming off the bench at Liverpool on Sunday, while Denilson is in contention for a midfield position. Lukasz Fabianski is expected to be in goal, with Vito Mannone again on the bench.

Meanwhile, Michel Platini, the Uefa president, has criticised Arsene Wenger’s policy of signing teenage players from other clubs. In recent years, Wenger has brought Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby among a string of youngsters to Arsenal.

Platini disapproves of this approach and would rather see young players further their football education at their local club before moving on. “I do not like the system of Arsene Wenger,” he said. “In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don’t like that. If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester [United] come in for this player then when will Millwall have a good team?”

Provisional Arsenal squad to face Sheffield United: Fabianski, J Hoyte, Toure, Song, Traore, Eboue, Denilson, Diarra, Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner, Mannone, Gilberto, Eduardo, Lansbury, G Hoyte, Merida.