I’m the one now, insists Denilson

DENILSON is a Gunners midfielder happy to buck the outgoing trend by committing his future to the club and winning trophies for Arsenal this season. The Brazilian admits this is a big year for him, and no wonder.

Fresh opportunities are presenting themselves almost daily, with the departures of midfield trio Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan), Alexander Hleb (Barcelona) and Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos).


Denilson, 20, rejected a chance to join the high-profile exits, instead aiming to make a sustained first-team impact in his third season at The Emirates. “I’m just focused on Arsenal, but I know some other clubs were looking at me,” said Denilson. “Last year I heard Barcelona wanted to buy me, but I really like it at Arsenal. “For me this is the best team, it’s where I want to be. I want to show what I can do for Arsenal.”

Denilson made 23 appearances last term, but just four Premier League starts. However, after 42 outings since his £3.4million signing from Sao Paulo in August 2006, he feels now is his time. He said: “This season is very important for me. I want to be involved in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. I need to play, every player needs to play, and I believe in myself. I know I can do it.”

Fully refreshed after a summer family break in Brazil, Denilson is now back in the groove with daily double training sessions. “I am thinking only about working hard, training hard every day, and getting ready for the season,” he said. “I am thinking about my immediate future, and I know this is a big season for me. I know that Arsenal can win trophies this season for sure.”


Although Arsenal have made some midfield acquisitions in Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff and Samir Nasri from Marseille, Denilson has every chance of forming a new hub of the Gunners engine-room alongside Cesc Fabregas, who with Spain, now has a European Championship winning medal to his name. Denilson said: “Yes, I watched the Euro 2008 final – it was fantastic. I was very pleased for Cesc. I was proud of him because he played fantastically.”


Although yet to feature for the senior Brazil side, Denilson has played for his country at every age group from Under-15 to Under-20, captaining the Under-17s to the final of the 2005 world championship. While Denilson, who played alongside Manchester United’s Anderson, was starting out in the Brazil youth teams, the senior side were winning the 2002 World Cup under then manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. And Denilson is looking forward to coming up against Chelsea’s new boss and fellow countryman in club action next season.

Denilson said: “He’s a very experienced coach, one of the best in the world. He’s a big man, and a father figure, similar to Arsene Wenger. He will joke with the players, get on well with them, but is also a tough guy. “He can be strict but he is well respected. Gilberto has spoken to me about him, about his style, and it will be interesting to see him at Chelsea.”

Football, and midfield play in particular, runs in the Denilson family. His father was a professional in the Brazilian league, playing in central midfield, and two of Denilson’s three brothers are also beginning to make a name back home.