Cameron Loxdale
Denilson is quickly becoming the in-fashion player to relentlessly criticise at Arsenal. Bendtner is hitting the net too often to top the list, Arshavin is ironically too inconsistent to warrant consistent abuse, and Eboue has been elevated to some sort of mythological demigod status.
Backers of the Brazilian would point to his passing stats that suggest a Xavi-like expert retainer of the ball, but fail to indicate that getting 85% completion of 5 yard sideways and backwards passes isn't actually that impressive or productive to the team.
Denilson's game clearly doesn't lend itself to individual praise. He is not a tough tackling Flaminal type, nor is he a creative playmaker. His job is simply to pass it short to the better players. So obviously, when a player holds such limited responsibility, his failure to carry out this role – i.e. by giving away possession - is heavily scrutinised. This role is important to the team however, and Denilson's strength lies in his role as an outlet for the other players. He is the spare man in the middle who can start and complete the quick passing triangles. Which is all very well when we have the ball.
When we don't have the ball is where our no. 15 gets found out. He is remembered most, and I fear will always be remembered for his 'tracking back' in United's counter attacking at the E******s last season, where he was overtaken by countless Mancs and the referee. He is not going to remembered as a tackler, the same way Rosicky won't be remembered for his 20 goals a season.
Sadly Denilson is consigned to being an unnecessary cog in a more talented midfield at best, and a spanner in the works at worst. His treading water style of play is now reflective of his position in the squad. It is easy to forget that Ramsey had broken through into his position last season through a string of impressive performances before he was broken through by Ryan Shawcross. The emergence of Jack Wilshere shows what more can brought to Denilson's role and means that a recovered Ramsey would leave Denilson struggling to make the bench.
Now he can merely be considered half a luxury player, with the traditional definition implying a potent attacking threat with little defensive nous or exertion. Unfortunately Denilson fulfils the wrong half of the criteria.
