Arsene Wenger’s teenage understudies turned on the
style to humiliate Sheffield United 6-0 in the Carling Cup on
Tuesday.
The ‘Old Arsenal Players’ like Samba star Denilson
return today as the Gunners look to cement their place at the top
of the table at home to Hull City.
While some believe Wenger’s squad lacks experience, the
Brazilian is convinced their youth could work to their advantage
over a long season.
And the former Sao Paulo man believes they have enough
quality in their ranks to go all the way at home and abroad.
Denilson said: “The age of the squad is a positive
thing and I do believe that it can play in our favour.
“If we can keep combining the irreverence of younger
players with the experience of some of the older guys we can be
really tough to beat.
“And within the team, all the players are focused on
the objectives we have for this season, which is winning
titles.
“There is no doubt that we have what it takes to not
only win the Premier League but also to win the Champions
League.”
One of those youngsters is England winger Theo Walcott,
who has taken the headlines away from some of his team-mates with
his sensational form for club and country.
Denilson has been as impressed as anyone by the
19-year-old and believes he will continue to get better.
He said: “Walcott is a wonderful player, full of
talent. He is playing really well at the moment.
“This is not only positive for Arsenal but it is also
important for England. I am sure he can help both the club and the
national team to achieve great things.”
While Walcott has hogged the limelight, Denilson has
quietly started to make an impact after two years at the
Emirates.
The young Brazilian has become a key part of Arsene
Wenger’s first team this season following the summer departure of
Mathieu Flamini.
Two goals in five league games and an effective
partnership with Cesc Fabregas in midfield have helped Arsenal
storm to the top of the table.
And Denilson is relishing the challenge of trying to
fill the boots left three years ago by Patrick Vieira.
He would love to go down in history alongside the
French ace or his fellow Brazilian Gilberto Silva as a Gunners
legend.
Denilson said: “Any comparisons with Vieira are great
for me because he was really a player that left his mark on this
club. He helped Arsenal to achieve beautiful things so it’s an
important reference for me.
“But it’s the same with Gilberto Silva. He is also an
example for me to follow.
“But they have both made their mark and now it is my
time to write my history in the pages of Arsenal.”
Now he has finally nailed down a regular place in the
first team, Denilson is in no mood to give up his shirt.
He scored his first Arsenal goal in the home victory
over Newcastle and added another in last week’s win at Bolton.
And Denilson said: “I am very happy with what I’ve been
doing on the pitch.
“It has been a great start for me and for the team. As
games go by, I get more confident.
“I hope to keep giving good performances to our fans.
My first goal was very important for me and made me very, very
happy. It was dedicated to my mother, who passed away in 1999.”
He believes he already owes a lot to Wenger, who paid
out £3.4million in August 2006 to bring him to North London.
He added: “He talks a lot with me and he gives me a lot
of confidence and says that I am on the right way.
“I am very happy and thankful for all the support and
confidence he is giving me.”