15 Denilson

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 3rd Round
October 24, 2006,
Won 2-0

The Brazilian midfielder progressed perhaps more than any other Arsenal player last season. He arrived virtually unnoticed on transfer deadline day because of the swap deal concerning William Gallas and Ashley Cole but, in only his sixth game, he was stepping out at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to take on Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final. Later that season, he was named in the full Brazil side for the first time. He has captained his country at every age group between Under-15 and Under-19. Denilson was also part of the Sao Paulo side which beat Liverpool to lift the World Club championship in 2005. Perhaps he does not possess the tricks of many of his famous countrymen but his quiet efficiency and clinical distribution last season saw him move from a Carling Cup hopeful to a Premiership contender in Arsène Wenger’s estimations.