Portuguese newspapers are today full of stories about FC Porto’s match against Arsenal, and O Jogo features a nice interview with former Gunners’ midfielder Denilson.
The Brazilian, who played for the London side between 2006 and 2011, looked back at his time at the club and talked about how much those years meant to him.
Denilson admitted that he’s not been watching Arsenal much lately, as he gets ‘nostalgic’, and recalled some of the teammates he had at the time.
“I had a spectacular time with a coach who is in the top five in history. Wenger was fabulous, but then I was with Gilberto, Henry, Van Persie, Fàbregas, Ljungberg… They were very different. I’m very grateful for this very happy journey,” Denilson told O Jogo.
Speaking of Arsène Wenger, Denilson explained why the manager was so special for Arsenal.
“Being trained by Wenger was the best feeling I’ve had in my career, not only because of his work on the pitch and his ideas, but also off the pitch, because of his concern for us every day. Then he was the first to arrive at the club and the last to leave.
“We were there to train between 10 and 11 o’clock and he had already arrived at 7 o’clock. He was an incredible person and I went through an Arsenal where these great players lived more for the club than for their families.”
Looking back at his career, Denilson claims to be extremely content to having played for Arsenal, despite not winning any trophies there.
“Those were great times, I worked hard to get there. I’m a fulfilled person. Arsenal has left a mark on my life. My only regret was not winning a title.”
Denilson joined Arsenal on a €5m deal from São Paulo in 2006, when he was still a youngster. From then to 2011, he made 153 appearances for the Gunners, and despite being a defensive player, he had 10 goals and 13 assists.
The Gunners loaned him back to the Brazilian side in 2011, and made his exit permanent in 2013. He then also played for Al-Wahda, Cruzeiro, Botafogo-SP, Sliema Wanderers and Brasil pelotas.
