Gilberto Silva says he has no intention of quitting Arsenal and intends to remain "100 per cent professional" as he attempts to win back his place at the heart of Arsene Wenger's side.

The 31-year-old was by some way the oldest player in the team that drew 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.

The consistent form of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini in central midfield has restricted the Brazilian's opportunities this season, but despite reported interest from Juventus and Valencia, he remains determined to stay.

"This is what I have in mind, to get back in the team and hope I can achieve that as soon as possible," Gilberto, who has more than a year left on his contract, said.

"But I know the team is playing well and so are the guys in my position, especially Mathieu. I will do my job, and I did that again against Tottenham which was another good opportunity for me to show that I am capable to come back into the team.

"At the moment, I prefer not to think about moving and to fight for my position."

Gilberto - a World Cup winner in 2002 and part of the Invincibles side that won the Premier League crown unbeaten - admits it has been somewhat uncomfortable watching from the outside this season, with only 11 starts and nine appearances off the bench.

"It is quite easy to manage the situation when things do not work as they want, but for some people it is quite hard, it is difficult to understand," he said.

"It has been quite bad for me to look at Arsenal playing so well from the bench - but I try to be very positive every day at the training ground and to fight.

"I go there, do my job and be 100 per cent professional, as I always have been and try to return to the team. You have to respect everybody, be professional and wait for your chance to come again.

"The important thing for me at the moment and what makes me very strong is my family.

"When I am at home, I can get a balance. I play with my kids and am with my wife, I can forget everything about my job with the football. I have found this is the way to manage the situation at the moment at to look forwards.

"I have experienced very hard things in the past and so why not manage things the right way at the moment?"