After weeks of speculation, Arsenal’s young Brazilian play-maker Denílson Pereira Neves turned up at Underhill last night and played 55 minutes in the Reserves as they smashed five goals past bottom side Derby County.
Denilson last featured in an Arsenal shirt as a late substitute against Birmingham City at St Andrews on the 23rd of February, the infamous game where fellow countryman Eduardo suffered a terrible broken leg, prior to that his last start came in another famous game, the 5-1 defeat to Tottenham also away in the Carling Cup Semi-Final fixture, where he left the field after just 15 minutes with a hamstring problem.
After having treatment he came back a month later, as mentioned and played against Birmingham City, and then in a friendly against the Colorado Rapids, however the 20 year old left the field again early on during the victory over our American link club, complaining of a recurrence of the hamstring problem as well as pain in his ankle.
After a short spell on the side-lines, Arsene Wenger decided to let him work in the gym and make sure he got back to full fitness and maintain the levels before featuring in a match, however during this time little was spoken about his situation, leading to speculation he could be on his way out, or had arguments with Wenger, but his start yesterday was encouraging despite the obvious lack of match fitness.
In the early stages of the game, he looked bright as the young Gunners set to trying to dismantle a defensive, yet static Rams defence. His flair and quality was there as he played a few simple passes, and as he felt his way in to the encounter his physical presence and ability to find space with ease helped unlock the leaky Derby back line, playing one fantastic outside of the boot through ball to Nacer Barazite, with only the scrambling goalkeeper stopping a certain goal.
In the second half, he tired very quickly and as confirmed by Neil Banfield he would not complete the 90 minutes and was subbed of in place of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who got himself on the score-sheet, Arsenal play West Ham Reserves next week, and Denilson should feature in that game as he looks to build his fitness back up.
So just a little post, to explain what has happened, and let you all know he is alive and well !.
Article By – J.Sanderson
what is it with hamstring injuries and arsenal?
I personally hope that Denilson can stay fit because he is a very very very good young midfield player but i will not hold my breath IMO
Your website is superb, an incredible source of information on the youths. But, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, it would be a lot easier to read if you used shorter sentences.
Keep up the fantastic work!
I agree hopefully he can remain fit and then he along wiv Merida can ensure that Cesc gets a well deserved rest for parts of nxt season.
i agree Kent, lets hope his injuries dont ruin the massive potential he has.
because he can become an amazing player, and your comment has been noted Tom
You, sir are a legend. Keep up the good work. It’s a wonder Arsenal do not pay you for your services. Top Man.
lol i like the title but yeah its good to see he’s back because he’s a massive talent
Nice one mate! Thought he had disappeared for good. I’m glad he has been found and he is well! Hope we’re see more of him next year as he is class.
Cheers Lady Henry :D means lot that you enjoy my blog,
and yeah i agree wrighty a good pre-season and he can be ready to offer us something.
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i think lansbury is better than denilson
Nr790: At least Denilson is MONO free (the US word for glandular fever).
I’m glad to hear Denilson is fine. If he does not make it then it is almost a miracle. Last season he was 18 and playing as well as Carrick is doing this year. All those overhyped Tottenham youngsters are nothing close to what Denilson was showing last season. But this season he has almost gone backwards.
Lansbury better than the (former?) Brazil U-21 captain?! Sorry, but that will take some work to get my head around.
Ok, I looked it up: make that Brazil’s U-19 Captain.
have u seen lansbury play ?
As much as i like Denilson i do think that Henri Lanbury will be a better central midfielder than him because whether it is because of his injurys or not, i do not think that Denilson has come on that much as a football player since his first season at Arsenal also Henri Lansbury is almost 3 years younger than him as well and i would say is as good as he is now IMO
I think we are lucky to have both of them to add to our current midfield. If you add Merida, Wiltshire, Gibbs, Randall and Jay Thomas the present and future looks amazing. They may not all make it with us but what a group to pick from.
Different subject but apparently there was an article in Arena mens magazine (april 08) about seven people who could change English football. Number 1 was Simon Clifford (Brazilian soccer schools), number 2 was Michel Platini, number 3 was Henry Lansbury and number 4 was Mark Randall, the rest were Agbonlahor,Wheater and Young
What’s the point of this article? Anyone that saw the Reserves match report below would know about it. :S
yes but chris not every one gets to see the reserves match.
nice piece, good job.
im talking about the report CK …
Nobody knew the full story, even you asked me about it Chris, so hence the reason why i claified it.
and from the comments above, many people are greatful :)
thank you very much,i’ve been wondering where on earth he went to.good news he’s fit.he’ll at least replace fabregas who’s undoubtfully tired.
I hope that Denilson can get his chance in the starting line up against Derby. I would also like to see Barazite there, at least on the bench. We have nothing to play for and Derby will be so easy.
is lansbury back in training
another interesting article but factually incorrect. denilson came on against Chelsea in the league
No, infact you are in correct.
http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=&fxid=323048&cpid=703&clid=4421
so please get your facts correct, especially when it comes to slagging off others.