Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Denilson is one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old found himself an unlikely midfield partner for Cesc Fabregas at the start of the season, filling the void left by departed Mathieu Flamini after first-choice Abou Diaby was ruled out through injury.
Since then, the former Sao Paulo player has gone from strength to strength - and has proved himself versatile when asked to move out on the left.
Following injury to captain Fabregas, more responsibility has been given to and taken by the combative Brazilian, who is now on the fringes of his national team squad.
Denilson has chalked up 30 starts this season, scoring three goals and his boss has heaped praise on the young Brazilian, whose steely determination to succeed has helped seal his place in the team 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.
"I am surprised by two things - by how well he is done and how little credit he gets from the media.
"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."
Denilson feels right at home in the heart of the Arsenal side after a difficult start to life in the capital.
Now fully settled in north London following his transfer from Sao Paulo during August 2006, the tough-tackling South American intends to make the most of his opportunity.
"When I arrived here, I was just 18 years old and had difficulty adapting," said Denilson, who was brought up in the dangerous favelas in Sao Paulo.
"I always lived with my parents, my brothers and friends around. Suddenly, I moved to a new country to live alone. Imagine? It is not easy.
"I first lived in a hotel, then a house, but always alone. It was bad. You want to talk to someone, talk about anything. Now, though, I am feeling at home."
Denilson has struck up a close bond with Arsenal's fellow Brazil-born player Eduardo, the Croatia international who is currently on the comeback trail following a broken leg.
Eduardo continued his rehabilitation with another run-out for the reserves in midweek but Wenger, maintains the striker - out since suffering his horrific injury at Birmingham last February - must not be rushed.
"He has done well. I believe he is two or three games short to be thrown into a cup game like at Cardiff, but I think in two or three weeks he will be ready," said the Arsenal manager.
"Of course he wants to play in every single game now because he has been frustrated for so long.
"I still believe he needs at least one more game in the reserves and maybe, when Croatia play on February 11 (against Romania), he can get a game there. After then, he should be ready."
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