Gilberto Silva is considering his future at Arsenal after being left out of tomorrow's Carling Cup tie with Sheffield United.

The Mirror says Gilberto has been axed from the squad for refusing to play as a makeshift centre-half at Bramall Lane. It is another blow for the midfielder, who has lost his place to Mathieu Flamini this season and his discontent has alerted several clubs, including Juventus and Valencia.

There seems no way back for Gilberto with Arsenal top of the Premier League, and he has told Arsene Wenger he no longer wants to play at centre half.

The World Cup winner filled in there for last month's win at Tottenham but was upset to be dropped for a Champions League victory over Sevilla days later.