As Sao Paulo move closer to completing a deal for our forgotten Samba star Denilson, a lot of fans must be wondering why a player who supposedly had so much potential is being shipped off to Brazil?

Most of us will remember his quick feet, great long-range strikes (like the one against Everton during our 6-1 demolishing of them in the first game of the 2009/10 season), and his rather amusing celebratory dances after scoring.

So why did it go so wrong?

Well to start, timing was not great. His tenure at Arsenal was at the same time as such midfielders as Diaby, Song, Diarra, Gilberto Silva, Flamini and Fabregas. A lot of stiff competition for the Brazilian.

He struggled to make an impact with such big players and when you are playing alongside players like Fabregas comparisons often do not work in your favour. He was stuck in the shadows of Fabregas and Flamini who were fast becoming one of Europe's most dominant midfield pairings after tearing AC Milan apart in our 2-0 victory at the San Siro.

Most of the attacking roles were filled by players like Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky, Walcott, Nasri and Arshavin so he had to try and become a more defensive-minded player if he were to become a regular name on the team sheet.

This did not suit him at all.

As a Brazilian he was more suited to the fluent attacking football he had played at Sao Paulo and Brazilians aren't often well known for the defensive prowess, more for their Samba style football.

Also he was very young, and experience is pivotal in the holding role. He was often slated for his positioning and marking, letting his man slip off him too many times; something a CDM cannot afford to do.

He needed to break up the opposition play and get the ball forward to the attacking forces like Fabregas, something Flamini did so well yet Denilson could not.

However, this does not mean he is a bad footballer. He was never suited to the fast-paced physical style of the Premier League but more for the attacking style of the Brazilian League.

He has time and space on the ball to do his magic and will be one of the superstars there after his stint at Arsenal so will not have to worry about securing a first team spot.

I enjoyed watching him at Arsenal but I think a move to Brazil is the best deal for both parties.

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