Cup is 'just start for Denilson'

Arsenal’s young Brazilian midfielder Denilson intends to make a big impression this season – and not just in the Carling Cup.

The 19-year-old – who has captained his national team at every level from under-15s – is expected to feature in a youthful Gunners side at Sheffield United tomorrow night.

Denilson, who signed from Sao Paulo in a £3.4m deal in August 2006, has already chalked up close to 30 appearances for Arsenal and smashed his first goal during the 2-0 win over Newcastle in the previous round of the competition.

Having helped guide the Gunners into last season’s final against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium, the young midfielder has now targeted a regular place in the starting XI.

Manager Arsene Wenger maintains Denilson is one of the most “underrated” players in his squad and has included him in more Barclays Premier League games lately, and also in Europe, although mostly on the bench.

Having recently agreed a new five-year deal, Denilson is anxious to make the step up a permanent one.

“I would like to think my career is not just the Carling Cup, I feel I have already proved myself in that competition,” he said.

“My aim is to get in the first team for the Premiership, and the Champions League.

“The competition [for places] is very good, but I need to get it into my head that it should be me in the team.

“What is important to me is whether I am playing. And, without question, I want to be playing in all the tournaments.”

Denilson ensured his first senior goal for Arsenal was a memorable one with a fine 25-yard strike to help end Newcastle’s Carling Cup campaign at Emirates Stadium last month.

The youngster, though, clearly expects more of the same to come his way this season.

Denilson said: “It’s going to make it easier for me to score other ones, and with confidence you get better.

“I am sure I am evolving a lot, But it is not for me to say whether I have matured as a player or not. It is for other people to make that decision.”

Wenger’s faith in youth has so far been rewarded, with the Gunners leading the way at the top of the Premier League and also recording three straight wins in Europe.

“At Arsenal we believe in ourselves,” Denilson declared.

“We knew we had a young team last year and we would be working twice as hard for the title this year. Our mindset and expectation is very good. We are really taking advantage of this.”

Denilson had been helped to settle at Arsenal by fellow Brazilian and national-team skipper Gilberto.

However, the veteran has seen himself on the fringes of the first team this season as Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas forged a formidable midfield partnership, and there have been suggestions he could be set to leave when the transfer window opens in January.

Wenger, though, has praised the professional attitude of the 31-year-old, whom he has often asked to play at centre-back when needed.

Nevertheless, the World Cup winner is understood to have been left out of the squad for tomorrow’s match against the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers, further fuelling speculation over his uncertain future.

With Philippe Senderos still nursing a back problem, Alex Song is likely to slot into defence.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, meanwhile, is another senior player not expected to make the trip to Bramall Lane.

The German international has so far failed to win back his place in the side from Manuel Almunia after his return to fitness.

Wenger looks set to instead keep faith with young Pole Lukasz Fabianski and have Italian teenager Vito Mannone on the bench.