Denilson Pereira Neves knows the Carling Cup is the platform for him to parade his rich potential and savour the atmosphere generated by a 60,000 crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
Denilson, called "Deni" by his team-mates, is a major beneficiary of the rotation policy used by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in the old League Cup.
Wenger uses it to blood his youngsters alongside a sprinkling of more experienced players and Denilson revelled in the opportunity handed to him last season.
Arsenal were beaten finalists against Chelsea and many observers thought they were unlucky to return from Cardiff runners-up.
Chelsea put out a full team, Wenger adhered to his "mix-and-match "philosophy and it so nearly paid off.
The 19-year-old Brazilian, who cost a bargain £3.5million from Sao Paolo in 2006, said: "It was a great experience.
"You learn so much from those games, especially like those against Tottenham in the semi-final. I hope I am able to play as well as I did last season."
While Denilson has yet to become a first-team regular under Wenger, he is rated highly at the Emirates and is likely to play a more substantial role in the three competitions that precede the Carling Cup in priority - Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
He is hoping to be involved on a more regular basis in The Big Three but will have no hesitation in giving his best against Newcastle on Wednesday.
At the very least, it will be another taste of the high-tempo football produced in England and which captured the imagination of the young Denilson when he watched the matches from this country on television back in the sprawling city of Sao Paolo.
He said: "I loved it and I loved Arsenal. I know many Brazilians go to Spain or Portugal when they come to Europe, but for me it was always England, nowhere else. Why Arsenal? I loved to watch players like Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
"I loved the style. It is where I wanted to be."
One of the first to greet him on his arrival was World Cup winner Gilberto Silva.
Denilson revealed: "It was the first time I had spoken to him.
"I didn't contact him to find out what it was like in England and ask if I would adjust or anything like that. That was my decision and I've not one regret."
The cash shelled out by Arsenal is looking money well-invested - but the Brazilians were hoping that they would collect more.
He added: "They were very protective about me. I think they wanted to keep me for another two or three years."
Wenger was actually looking at a player called Ramon from Atletico Miniero when he spotted Denilson in the opposition and ordered that he be monitored.
The result is the recruitment of the player now sporting Arsenal's No.15 shirt.
Denilson wears Nike's Total 90 Laser boot. Nike has developed the T90 Laser to enhance accuracy and allow players to put the ball where they want it. Visit nikefootball.com
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Jonathan Pearce
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE