Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is pleased with the form of young midfielder Denilson this season.

"He is a very hungry player and plays every game under a lot of pressure," said the Arsenal manager, who takes his side to Cardiff in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

"I have never seen him in one training session be a little bit within himself. He always gives you 100 per cent."

The Gunners boss believes Denilson is one of the unsung heroes of his squad.

"I am surprised by two things - by how well he is done and how little credit he gets from the media," said Wenger.

"I do not think many people have gone down and deeply analysed his game.

"If you analyse it a little bit in a deeper way -that means the ground he covers, how much ball he wins, how quickly he passes the ball, where his balls go - you will quite surprised.

"But he is a player who does not attract too much limelight because he is discreet, does not talk and does his job. That is what I prefer."