The fact that you were expecting a backlash shows that you know something's not right about Denilson coming back. If he gets back in the squad and takes a squad number from a potential top signing then that would be a travesty and a sign of desperation from Wenger. The boy is not good enough, simple as that. He played a lot of games for us and showed very little. As I said before he is the embodiment of the mediocrity that we have been suffering for years now, mediocrity that you seem to be content with.
I wouldn't want him back, though on Ramsey's current form he is superior to him at present, which is worrying. The question is, and always has been, what is Denilson? He's not strong, and doesn't track back enough to be a DM. He isn't doesn't have the vision to be an AM. He might just about get away with the Arteta role, but he creates and tracks back, and I don't think Denilson is good enough at either (ESPECIALLY tracking back) to play his role.
Its not that simple though. Carlovs Vela, Denilson, Bendtner etc.. were bought for small-ish fees as teenagers. At that age there is FAR more risk that the player wont be good enough but its worth taking because the product is cheaper. Some players mature quicker than others and some players dont realise their potential until well into their twenties. The club does need to be quicker to sell those off that ar'nt good enough though because they are a huge strain on our wage bill.
The thing about Denilson that always annoyed me about him was his reluctance to tackle. He had all the other ingredients to be a quality midfielder though. Perhaps better suited to the Italian or Spanish leagues.
I'd say expecting a backlash shows that I know some of our fans would be outraged by me suggesting that he could play for Arsenal again. Not that there's something not right about him coming back. As I said, he's done enough over the seasons to show that he can do a job in MF, he does the unglamorous stuff quite well as HotHead points out. He moves the ball quickly and spreads the play from left to right. Some people jump on this sort of play as just 'sideways passing' but anyone who understands the game, will know that this is an essential style of our play, to pull teams out of position so that players can run into gaps. Denilson does this work quite well - I think he could still be a decent squad player.
Hmm. Sorry but Denilson didn't work hard for the team at all. He was so slow in getting back to cover mistakes (often his own). Swithching the play from flank to flank - quickly - is an essential part of our game, but not 5 yard sideways passes that do nothing to unbalance the defence. Denilson has nothing to offer a top side.
Trouble is i don't see a queue of clubs lining up for him at any price. He's just a bench warmer. Perhaps we can offer him to Man Citeh for nothing when they buy RVP, like a fotballing BOGOF now that would be appropriate.
Personally, I think with Frimpong and Coquelin coming up I would rather give them a chance than Denilson. If Denilson is now classed as a senior player then he doesn't deserve to be in the squad either, he's not the type of player who could be part of a challenging squad.
Defo have those two over Denilson. I have high hopes for Frimpong. He has pace, power, strength and skill, above all he has passion for the Arsenal. This is what we need!
