Denílson Pereira

Denílson Pereira Neves, known as Denílson (born on 16 February 1988 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian football (soccer) who usually plays as a central midfielder. Denílson Pereira plays for England side Arsenal F.C. and used to be the captain (football) of the Brazil national under-20 football team.

Early life

Denilson is the second of four sons born to Jose and Luciene Pereira. Denílson Pereira father, Jose, is a former midfielder at Botafogo in North Brazil. However, Denílson Pereira was forced to quit football in order to support Denílson Pereira family. Once Denílson Pereira family moved to São Paulo, Jose worked as a security guard for 15 years in order to support Denílson Pereira wife and sons, but taught Denílson Pereira children the game Denílson Pereira loved. When Denilson turned 10, Denílson Pereira mother died of a heart condition. Before she died she told Denilson that Denílson Pereira would be a great footballer who would "make Denílson Pereira dad and her very happy".

Denilson and Denílson Pereira family survived extreme poverty as Denílson Pereira parents struggled to raise Denílson Pereira and Denílson Pereira brothers in the dangerous favelas in São Paulo. Many times, Denílson Pereira and Denílson Pereira brothers could not leave their home because of an ensuing gun fight. Many of Denilson's childhood friends have since died as they become involved in the drug trade.

Club career

São Paulo

Denílson Pereira started Denílson Pereira career at São Paulo Futebol Clube, where Denílson Pereira was part of the side that won the 2005 Copa Libertadores de América and the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship. However, Denílson Pereira was "basically a reserve" for São Paulo, having only made twelve appearances for the club, eight of those coming off the substitutes' bench.

Arsenal

2006–07 season

On 31 August 2006, Denílson joined England club Arsenal F.C. for a fee of pound sterling6.4 million wearing the number 15. Many were surprised by Denílson Pereira transfer to Arsenal because of Denílson Pereira lack of experience in club football. Denílson Pereira has been described as "a little bit in between Tomáš Rosický and Gilberto Silva" by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.

Denílson was included in Arsenal's 18-man squad that travelled to face PFC CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on 17 October 2006; Denílson Pereira was named on the substitutes bench for the match, but did not play. Denílson Pereira had to wait until 24 October 2006 for Denílson Pereira first-team debut, when Denílson Pereira started a Football League Cup third round match against West Bromwich Albion F.C.. Denílson Pereira was ever-present in Arsenal's 2006-07 in English football Carling Cup campaign.

Denílson Pereira made Denílson Pereira Premier League debut for Arsenal on 30 December 2006, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat against Sheffield United F.C. at Bramall Lane.

2007–08 season

Denílson Pereira first goal for Arsenal came in the Carling Cup third round fixture against Newcastle United F.C. on 25 September 2007, sealing a 2–0 win. The good performance and goal seemed to have secured Denílson Pereira a long-term place at Arsenal after it was announced that Denílson Pereira had secured a new contract with the club on 18 October 2007. Denílson scored another long-range shot in a Carling Cup match against Sheffield United on 31 October 2007, netting the final goal in Arsenal's 3–0 win. Denílson's first league start came on 24 November 2007 in a match against Wigan Athletic F.C. and the young Brazilian once again impressed, with Arsenal eventually winning the match 2–0 thanks to late goals from William Gallas and Tomáš Rosický. Denílson Pereira received Denílson Pereira first red card at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers F.C. in the Carling Cup quarter-finals, where Denílson Pereira was sent off moments before extra time.

2008–09 season

Due to the sale or departure of many experienced players such as Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb, Denílson received more playing time and has since partnered Cesc Fàbregas in central midfield on many occasions. Denílson Pereira was named in the starting line-up for all of Arsenal's five competitive matches in August 2008, scoring Denílson Pereira first Premier League goal on 30 August 2008 in their 3–0 win at home to Newcastle United. Denílson Pereira continued to play as a regular for Arsenal through December and scored Denílson Pereira second Premier League goal in their 3–1 away win at Bolton Wanderers F.C. on 20 September 2008. With Fàbregas out for the last remaining months of 2008, Denílson Pereira did well to fill in for the captain and was rewarded with more playing time. Denílson added a third Premier League goal at Aston Villa F.C. in a 2–2 draw on 26 December 2008. On 11 March 2009, Denílson Pereira converted Denílson Pereira penalty to seal a 7-6 shoot-out victory over A.S. Roma in the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match.

International career

Denilson has played for and captained Brazil at every level since Denílson Pereira was a member of the under-15 squad. In November 2006, Denílson was called up to the Brazil national football team for a friendly match against Switzerland national football team to replace Denílson Pereira Arsenal team mate Gilberto Silva who pulled out for personal reasons. However, Denílson Pereira did not make Denílson Pereira debut, as Denílson Pereira was an unused substitute in the match.

Personal life

Denilson is described as "very quiet and polite" and is often compared to Gilberto Silva, Denílson Pereira former teammate at Arsenal. Denilson often credits Gilberto with Denílson Pereira current success as Denílson Pereira acted as a "father" to Denílson Pereira when Denílson Pereira first moved from Brazil to London.

Denilson is fond of Brazilian music and the samba—he can even be found on YouTube singing and dancing with Denílson Pereira former Brazilian Arsenal teammates Gilberto Silva and Julio Baptista. After scoring Denílson Pereira first goal in the 2008–09 season Denílson Pereira danced a samba in front of the crowd.

Arsenal career statistics

Honours

São Paulo
- Winner
- - Copa Libertadores 2005
- - FIFA Club World Championship 2005

Brazil national team
- Winner
- - 2005 South American Under 17 Football Championship