Denilson has responded to suggestions that Chelsea won a battle of men against boys when beating Arsenal.
Midfielder expects to demonstrate trophy credentials
Arsenal midfielder Denilson has responded to suggestions that Chelsea won a battle of men against boys by insisting that the Gunners are not '11 babies'.
The Premier League-leading Blues have been praised for their 3-0 victory at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but Arsene Wenger's team have been criticised in equal measure.
Arsenal, who were described as babies by Patrice Evra after Manchester United's comfortable UEFA Champions League semi-final win last season, have been accused of lacking the neccesary backbone.
However, Denilson is adamant that, as well as Chelsea played at the weekend, he and his team-mates are not a bad or inexperienced side.
The 21-year-old said in the
Daily Mirror: "We played in that match as 11 men against 11 men. The only problem was that Chelsea scored two goals in five minutes before half-time.
"We kept the ball as well as they did. They succeeded because, when they had their opportunities they took them.
Angry
"But I don't believe Chelsea played against 11 babies or bad players. I believe in my team and I would never say anything bad about Chelsea. They are the best team in the Premier League.
"I would say after the game we were more angry at losing than anything else. We had trained hard all week and focused on the Chelsea game."
Denilson, though, acknowledges that Arsenal, who visit Manchester City in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, will need psychological focus if they are to end a trophy drought that stretches back to a 2005 FA Cup.
He said: "But now we know we will have to be more mentally strong as we have many games to come.
"I'm still very confident for the season because we've got a great team, a very hungry team but also a team with experience and quality."
He added: "When we lose people like to criticise Mr Wenger and say that he is wrong to trust us. They like to say that he should go out and buy new players.
"But I am very confident this season that we can win trophies. Manchester City have a good team but we have to go there and win because if we don't, we are out."
