Nottingham Forest’s £17.8m star provides biggest weapon for Reds amid crucial Arsenal test

It’s no coincidence that Nottingham Forest’s recent upturn in form has coincided with the inclusion of Danilo in the regular starting XI.

The young Brazilian signed a six and a half year deal in January, despite interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

One of those potential suitors is tomorrow’s opponents, Arsenal, which brings his role in midfield even more into the spotlight.

Although Forest fans have recently become accustomed to signing some big name players, Danilo’s arrival was met with a huge level of expectation. The former Palmeiras midfielder was described by teammate Dudu as a ‘complete player’ ready to play for one of Europe’s top sides.

But in an unprecedented series of events, the Forest hierarchy managed to secure the signature of Danilo, who has now established himself as a key player in Forest’s fight for survival.

Initially, Steve Cooper was reluctant to thrust him into a Forest side struggling for points. But with some time to settle into the English game and with the support of his fellow Brazilian teammates, Danilo has become instrumental in Forest’s recent form which has seen them score 13 goals in five Premier League fixtures.

Despite the injuries and disruption to Cooper’s squad, Forest finally have established a way of playing which is capable of causing damage to Premier League opponents.

This was most evident in Forest’s deserved 3-1 victory against a Brighton side who have just beaten Arsenal 0-3 at the Emirates, all but ending their title hopes for this season.

There are still questions surrounding The Red’s abilitiy to hold onto a lead, and Navas is still picking the ball out of his goal more times than Cooper would like, but they look capabale and worthy of maintaining their place in the world’s most competitive league.

And Danilo is central to this.

While he looked a little overwhelmed in his first few cameos, the 22-year-old has quickly found his feet, scoring three and assiting two in recent games.

The Garibaldi faithful have already sang his name to the tune of ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet which has come in response to some vital goals from the Brazilian midfielder.

His game is well-suited to the Premier League. His box-to-box energy has provided Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi with much needed support and his ability to carry the ball has allowed the likes of Renan Lodi, Neco Williams and Serge Aurier to get involved in Forest’s attacking play.

While many Forest players, such as Awoniyi, Felipe, Gibbs-White and Joe Worrall have all stepped up, Danilo’s contribution has been the X-factor in Forest’s change in fortunes, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

There’s still two crucial games to go, and for anyone who watched Sheffield Wednesday’s historic playoff comeback, we know nothing is certain in football.

But if Forest and Danilo can maintain the standards they have set over the last five games, Premier League football might just be on the horizon for the City of Nottingham next season.