Denilson

August

Denilson continued to feature heavily for Sao Paulo in the Brazilian Serie A, playing eight matches in a busy month.

September

Denilson made a host of appearances for Sao Paulo over the course of the month. He was sent off in the club's 0-0 draw against Santos on September 9.

October

Denilson was again an ever-present for Sao Paulo during October. The midfielder scored a stunning strike against Palmeiras at the start of the month.

November

Denilson made six appearances in November, as Sao Paulo finished fourth in Serie A.

December

Denilson continued to feature regularly for Sao Paulo as they finished the domestic season fourth in Serie A. The midfielder started as his loan side beat Argentina’s Tigre in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

January

Denilson helped Sao Paulo to progress in the Copa Libertadores, as the Brazilian season got back underway.

February

Denilson made five starts for Sao Paulo in February.

March

Denilson continued to feature regularly for Sao Paulo in March.

April

Denilson was a regular starter for Sao Paulo in April. The midfielder was part of the team that ensured progression from the group stage of the Copa Libertadores after victory over Atletico Mineiro in their final game.

August

Denilson joined Sao Paulo on a season-long loan.

September

The Brazilian played twice for Sao Paulo in September, starting matches against Botafogo and Flamengo.

October

Denilson continued to feature for Sao Paulo in Brazil's Serie A, but was forced to serve a suspension after picking up a red card against Cruzeiro.

November

Denilson continued to feature for Sao Paulo in Brazil, but could do little to halt the Serie A side's disappointing slide down the table.

December

Denilson featured once for Sao Paulo over December, before the Brazlian Serie A season drew to a close.

January

With Sao Paolo in the Brazilian off season, Denilson did not feature during the month.

February

Denilson did not feature during the month as Sao Paolo were in the Brazilian off season.

March

Denilson continued to ply his trade with hometown outfit Sao Paulo, who were deep into their Paulista State Championships in March.

April

Denilson was an ever-present for Sao Paulo in their Paulista State Championships campaign. The Brazilian outfit reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Santos.

May

Denilson continued to feature heavily for Sao Paulo in Brazil, making two appearances in their Copa do Brasil campaign.

August

Denilson missed the whole of pre-season and the opening month of the new campaign with an abdominal injury that he picked up in April. Speaking before the trip to Ewood Park, Arsene Wenger said he expected the midfielder to return to the squad, though he wasn’t named among the substitutes.

September

Denilson made two starts and three substitute appearances during September as he continued his recovery. After missing the whole of the previous month with an abdominal injury, the Brazilian enjoyed a spell in the first team. He started games against Tottenham and Partizan – two games that Arsenal were victorious in. Speaking after the win against Sunderland, he stated his title ambitions: "I still think we can win the Premier league this season. We are in a very good position. We have to keep the unbeaten run going as long as we can.”

October

Denilson was an unused substitute for the Gunners’ opening three games of October before getting a run in the side in the second half of the month. In the absence of Jack Wilshere through suspension he started games against Manchester City, Newcastle and West Ham - three games the Gunners won without conceding a goal.

November

Denilson proved his worth to the Arsenal midfield when came off the bench to protect leads in crucial away victories over Wolves and Everton. He was rewarded with starting spots against Tottenham and Braga and stated that he was ready to make a major contribution to Arsenal's season.

December

Denilson made just two starts during the month of December. The first of those came in the 3-1 win over Partizan and the second was against Wigan in the final game of 2010.

January

Denison featured much more in the month of January and helped Arsenal into the Carling Cup Final, playing in both legs of the Semi-Final against Ipswich. He made five starts and three substitute appearances.

February

Denilson made three appearances during February but his only start came against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup Fifth Round. He was introduced as a late substitute to see Arsenal to wins over Wolves and Stoke.

March

With Alex Song and then Abou Diaby missing through injury, Denilson made four starts during the month of March. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Leyton Orient and was then withdrawn in the second half of the following three games.

April

Denilson was kept on the sidelines by a toe injury and didn’t feature in April.

May

Denilson was an unused substitute against Aston Villa and Fulham.

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.

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.

October

Denilson continued his recovery from a back injury picked up in the defeat to Manchester City in September.

November

Denilson described his 100th Arsenal appearance as a "dream" after scoring a thunderbolt goal in the Champions League win over Standard Liege. The game was the Brazilian's first start since being forced off with a back injury during the match against Manchester City in September. "I'm very proud of this night," said the Brazilian. "It's a dream for me."

December

Denilson made four starts for Arsenal in December and scored a free-kick against Hull City that manager Arsène Wenger described as the game's turning point. "Denilson is not a free-kick specialist," said the manager. "I was quite surprised because it was Nasri who was going to take the free-kick and Denilson took it well. I thought first he wanted to cross the ball but he scored. It changed the game."

January

Denilson started five Arsenal games in January and scored twice. He bagged the Gunners' first equaliser in the 2-2 home draw with Everton and also equalised against Stoke City before Arsenal eventually lost the FA Cup clash 3-1. The Brazilian was also involved in the 4-2 home win over Bolton, a game the Gunners won after being 2-0 down. "It was very difficult for us in the first half," he told Arsenal TV Online after the game. "[At half time] the boss said we had to show how much we care to win. In the second half we put in a brilliant performance."

February

Denilson featured twice for Arsenal in February, starting in Porto and appearing as a substitute in the 2-0 home win over Sunderland. However he missed the trip to Stoke due to a calf injury.

March

Denilson featured in every Gunners game during March and bagged a goal against West Ham United. Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme Denilson said focus would be the watchword as Arsenal challenge for honours in the final weeks of the season. “I think we have gained from the experience of last season,” he said. “We were in good positions in some of the competitions but missed a little bit. At the start of this season, though, I was telling people I thought we were ready, because we were close and focused. And you can see now that we are strong and well-placed."

April

Denilson started the Gunners' first three games in April but a tight groin kept him out of the games against Wigan and Manchester City before Wenger admitted the midfielder wouldn’t play again this season.

May

A groin problem meant that Denilson missed the final two games of Arsenal's season.

August

With Fabregas injured and a question mark over the second central midfield berth, Denilson was given an opportunity in August, which he grabbed with both hands. The 20 year-old was involved in every game in August and in his 26th Arsenal appearance (Newcastle at home) Denilson notched his first League goal for the club.

September

Denilson reached an Arsenal milestone in September when he hit 50 appearances for the club after playing against Bolton – and he celebrated with the third goal in a 3-1 win. The Brazilian started in every Premier League game in August and he maintained that record throughout September. He also completed both Champions League games in the month as he looks to cement a spot alongside Cesc Fabregas in Arsenal’s midfield. His manager said on the 18th: “He is maybe not a flashy player but he is an efficient player.”

October

Denilson missed the West Ham game with a minor back complaint but played some part in all of the Gunners’ remaining October fixtures. He started and finished the games against Everton, Spurs and Fenerbahce but was withdrawn after 74 minutes at Sunderland. The Brazilian’s midfield versatility was once again on display throughout the month as he played in the middle, on the left and on the right in his four appearances.

November

After playing 65 minutes of Arsenal’s first November fixture against Stoke City, Denilson went on to play 90 minutes in all of the month’s remaining matches (Carling Cup aside). The Brazilian continued his impressive form alongside Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal engine room throughout the month in which the Gunners qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. “It was very important [to beat Kyiv]," said the Brazilian midfielder. "It's a victory that gives us peace of mind for the next match.”

December

Denilson sat out the Gunners’ Carling Cup clash against Burnley on December 2 but didn’t miss a minute of the other six matches. Denilson’s highlight of the month came against Aston Villa in the month’s penultimate fixture when he slid Arsenal into a 1-0 lead against the run of play. The Brazilian robbed Nigel Reo-Coker on the edge of the area before firing his effort underneath the advancing Brad Friedel.

January

Denilson did not miss a second of January’s Premier League action and received some lofty praise from his manager on Friday, January 23. "He's a very hungry player and he is 20 years old, plays every game under a lot of pressure,” said Wenger. “I have never seen him in one training session be a little bit within himself. He always gives you 100 per cent.”

February

Denilson played every minute of Arsenal’s five February fixtures, maintaining his place at the top of the Gunners’ appearances chart for this season. Before the clash with Roma on the 24th, Arsène Wenger said that Denilson had a crucial role in the Arsenal midfield. “When you play against Roma you know there is one battle you cannot lose and that is in midfield because that is their strong point,” the manager said. “Denilson will have an important part to play.”

March

Denilson played every minute of Arsenal’s non-FA Cup matches in March. His highlight came at the Stadio Olimpico during Arsenal’s penalty shoot-out victory over Rome. The Brazilian showed cast-iron nerve to fire his penalty past Alexander Doni and after the game he admitted, “It was my first proper penalty”.

April

Denilson started six of the eight April fixtures, taking his place among the substitutes for the other two. The Brazilian still has more appearances than any other player in Arsenal’s first-team squad and, in an interview with the Official Matchday Programme in the first week of the month he said: “We have the likes of Abou Diaby and Alex Song that provide competition too. Cesc being back will help the team greatly – and as far as I’m concerned I’ll give 100 per cent whether I’m playing or not, and leave selection decisions to the boss.”

May

Denilson started three of May’s five fixtures and was among the substitutes for the other two games. The Brazilian bowed out for season 2008/09 with 90 minutes in Arsenal’s final-day 4-1 victory over Stoke at Emirates Stadium.

April

Denilson enjoyed a fine end to April as he seemingly put his injury worries behind him. The Brazilian was a late addition to the field against Reading and then played throughout the dismantling of Derby, giving an assured and confident performance in the heart of midfield.

March

Denilson’s only action in March was the final 11 minutes of the draw at home to Aston Villa. The Brazilian was part of the squad that travelled to Italy for the memorable win in the San Siro.

February

A brief cameo appearance at St Andrews for Denilson ended a month of frustration as he returned from a hamstring injury.