Diamond Denilson sparkles in Arsenal midfield

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Ahead of the curve: 'I thought I would be on the bench for a few seasons when I arrived', says Denilson of last summer's switch to Arsenal

Denilson may be celebrating his 19th birthday at Arsenal's training ground on Friday morning, but the Brazilian midfielder has already come of age.

In a performance laced with energy and enthusiasm, as well as an exquisite range of passing, Denilson underpinned the Gunners' 3-1 victory over Bolton on Wednesday evening with a display that was beyond his teenage years.

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Although the FA Cup replay at the Reebok Stadium was only his ninth appearance in an Arsenal shirt - seven of them have been away from the Emirates Stadium - Brazil's Under-20 captain has made huge strides since his £3.4million move from Sao Paulo last August.

Equally adept in any of the positions across the midfield, his favoured berth is in the middle. Alongside the inexperienced Abou Diaby on Wednesday, he patrolled the centre circle and put Kevin Nolan and Gary Speed in the shade with a mature performance in his first FA Cup outing.

Denilson was an uncut diamond when Arsene Wenger convinced him to leave the Morumbi Stadium and move to London, but the Arsenal manager has smoothed over the edges in the space of just six months.

He is the first big name to emerge from Sao Paolo since Kaka left for AC Milan four years ago, but not everyone in his native country was convinced.

Tostao, who was part of the fabled Brazil side which won the World Cup in 1970, admitted: "We all thought it was a bit strange when he went to Arsenal. He only played a few times for Sao Paulo. He was discreet. He never stood out. Basically he was a reserve."

When he arrived, Wenger intended to send him out on loan for a season, but now he is on the fast-track to the first team.

His stellar performances against West Bromwich, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham in the Carling Cup have convinced Wenger that he can make an impact in the Premiership and he has done enough to justify inclusion in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Blackburn.

Although his progression to a regular place in the starting line-up is likely to be stilted by the presence of Cesc Fabregas, he is already shaping Arsenal's long-term future.

Denilson, Theo Walcott, Diaby and Johan Djourou are the next generation, but Wenger is protecting their potential by using them sparingly.

"I was the youngest player at Sao Paulo and there were lots of good players," said Denilson. "Before I came to Arsenal, I knew that all the best players were in Europe, so I knew I would have lots of competition.

"I thought I would be on the bench for a few seasons, but when I arrived I was told there was another competition [the Carling Cup] that gave opportunities for younger players. Every day I'm working to show my potential.

"It's not just me and Cesc, but people like Theo, who is just 17 and developing a lot. The team is very young, so the manager has time to develop the players he wants in order to win trophies."

Denilson's emergence has taken the spotlight away from Walcott, but Wenger is prepared to be patient with his teenage talents.

Walcott's form has undoubtedly dipped since those heady days in October when he was instrumental in the build-up to goals against Watford, Reading and Everton, but he remains an integral part of the first-team picture.

The Arsenal midfielder watched from the sidelines as Denilson stole the show against Bolton, but his time will come again.

During his fledgling career, Denilson has already won the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA World Club Championship, but he can add some more silverware in the Carling Cup Final next weekend.

Although Wenger will be tempted to play the familiar partnership of Gilberto and Fabregas in the centre of midfield against Chelsea's heavyweights, there will still be a place in a five-man midfield for Denilson.

Despite his inexperience, he has shown no fear in nine appearances with the senior side. He rides roughshod through challenges, but his cushioned touches and unflappable temperament are the hallmarks of a potential great.

"In England, football is more demanding, tougher and more tactical," he added. "In Brazil it's different. Brazilian players are always looking to entertain, they want to do things that the coach doesn't want them to do. If they did them in England, they probably wouldn't be picked. That's one of the reasons I like English football."

He has an uncanny knack of creating time for himself and in a team which prides itself on its passing, Denilson is clearly comfortable in his new surroundings.

The midfielder, who was born in the shadows of Sao Paulo's 80,000 capacity stadium, has already been called up for the national side, but he has yet to make his first appearance for his country. If his performance at Bolton is anything to go by, he is unlikely to be kept waiting too much longer.

 

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