In an interview with Brazilian television, the 22-year-old revealed he felt the Gunners "lack leadership", claiming "Fabregas is the captain, but he is not a leader to me".

Spain World Cup winner Fabregas this morning insisted there was no disharmony within the Arsenal camp, and posted a photo of the duo smiling, giving the thumbs up, on Twitter as they travelled by train to Leeds for tonight's FA Cup third-round replay.

Denilson is expected to feature again at Elland Road, as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rotates his squad.

The midfielder this afternoon released a statement via Rio-based communications agency 'Fair Play' to clarify his position.

"Fabregas is a great friend. When I said the team had no leadership it was to point out that Arsenal have a very young squad and sometimes lack a more experienced person, as it had for many years with Gilberto Silva for example," said Denilson in the statement at www.fairplayassessoria.com.br.

"I am a shy guy, I do not like controversy and problems.

"I was misquoted.

"I have talked with Fabregas and everything is resolved.

"We are fighting for the English title and it will not take away our focus."

Fabregas had also played down the episode.

Writing on his official Twitter page, Fabregas wrote: "Abt what Deni said. I've been in his situation before, just a misunderstanding. Now lets win tonite!"

Brazilian Denilson gave away a penalty to Leeds in the first cup match 10 days ago.

Fabregas kept the Gunners in the competition with a last-minute spot-kick of his own, and afterwards had given Denilson a dressing down for making such a clumsy challenge.

"They scored from a penalty that, at this stage when you are a professional footballer you can not give away this type of penalty so easily," Fabregas said in his post-match TV interview.