Denilson profile
Name
Denilson
Born
February 16, 1988
São Paulo, Brazil
Position
Midfielder
Squad Number
15
Previous Club(s)
Sao Paulo
Joined Arsenal
August 31, 2006
Arsenal Debut
W.B.A. (a)
Carling Cup
October 24, 2006
Won 2-0
First Arsenal Goal
Newcastle United (h)
Carling Cup
September 25, 2007
Won 2-0
When Mathieu Flamini, Lassana Diarra and Gilberto left Arsenal in 2008, many expected Arsène Wenger to dip into the transfer market and find a replacement - or even two.
Instead, Wenger gave Denilson his chance and the Brazilian midfielder rewarded his manager with a consistent campaign in the engine room. The fans had their doubts but, as the season unfolded, Denilson looked more and more at home in the first team.
His career had stood still the previous year as injuries restricted Denilson's progress but it was a different story in 2008/09. The Brazilian made more appearances and more Premier League starts than any Arsenal colleague and touched the ball more times than any other Premier League player.
Three of those touches resulted in goals against Newcastle, Bolton and Aston Villa, and Denilson reminded all and sundry of his shooting ability when he curled in a sumptuous opener at Everton on the opening day of the new season.
But goals are a bonus for Denilson. If anything, it is the less spectacular stuff that makes him so important. The accurate distribution, the switching of play and the willingness to offer an outlet for a team-mate make the Brazilian an important and perhaps underrated member of the Arsenal midfield.
Another good season for Denilson could yet earn him a place at the 2010 World Cup. He has captained his country at every age group between Under-15 and Under-19 level and received his first call-up to the senior Brazil squad in March 2007. He will be looking to force his way back into international contention this term.
MY YEAR
October
Denilson continued his recovery from a back injury picked up in the defeat to Manchester City in September.
September
Denilson was substituted with a back problem eight minutes after half-time in the 4-2 defeat at Manchester City. The initial prognosis was for a three-week lay-off but at the end of September Arsène Wenger revealed it would actually be much longer. "He will be out for two months," said the manager.
August
Denilson opened Arsenal's Premier League goalscoring account for the season with a 25-yard curling shot past Tim Howard as the Gunners defeated Everton 6-1. The Brazilian started all five matches in August.
15. Denilson - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2006-2007 | 4+6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13+6 | 0 |
| 2007-2008 | 4+9 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13+10 | 2 |
| 2008-2009 | 36+1 | 3 | 11+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49+2 | 3 |
| 2009-2010 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Totals | 48+16 | 4 | 17+2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 81+18 | 6 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Denilson - News
-
Thu, Nov 19, 2009
Denilson and three others off injured list -
Thu, Oct 8, 2009
Denilson - The new formation is working well -
Mon, Sep 28, 2009
Back injury sidelines Denilson for two months -
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Almunia, Van Persie, Denilson miss Liege trip -
Fri, Sep 11, 2009
Denilson - I was sorry to see Kolo and Ade go -
Wed, Sep 2, 2009
Denilson signs a new long-term contract -
Thu, Jun 4, 2009
TV Online: Denilson - My summer charity plan -
Wed, Jun 3, 2009
TV Online: My Top Three - Denilson -
Tue, Jun 2, 2009
Denilson - FA Cup heartbreak can be a lesson -
Tue, Apr 14, 2009
TV Online: Denilson - 'Backstreet to Pro'
