Denilson is happy to be compared with great Arsenal midfielders of the past.

Denilson said: "Any comparisons with (Patrick) Vieira are great for me because he was really a player that left his mark on this club. He helped Arsenal to achieve beautiful things so it's an important reference for me.

"But it's the same with Gilberto Silva. He is also an example for me to follow.

"But they have both made their mark and now it is my time to write my history in the pages of Arsenal."

Now he has finally nailed down a regular place in the first team, Denilson is in no mood to give up his shirt.

He scored his first Arsenal goal in the home victory over Newcastle and added another in last week's win at Bolton.

And Denilson said: "I am very happy with what I've been doing on the pitch.

"It has been a great start for me and for the team. As games go by, I get more confident.

"I hope to keep giving good performances to our fans. My first goal was very important for me and made me very, very happy. It was dedicated to my mother, who passed away in 1999."

He believes he already owes a lot to manager Arsene Wenger, who paid out £3.4million in August 2006 to bring him to North London.

He added: "He talks a lot with me and he gives me a lot of confidence and says that I am on the right way.

"I am very happy and thankful for all the support and confidence he is giving me."