It's all fitting into place for Paolo

Matt Hughes|Evening Standard13 April 2012

Never mind Chelsea, Charlton are undergoing their own Roman-led revival. As an enlightened Italian artist Paolo Di Canio is a Renaissance man and gives the impression of being a player reborn in his 36th year.

Di Canio's colourful persona at first seemed out of place in the quiet pastures of The Valley but player and club have at least one thing in common - the capacity to surprise. Alan Curbishley's side were again tipped for relegation at the start of the season but face leaders Arsenal on Sunday from the security of seventh place.

Di Canio said: "I feel fitter than I've been for two or three years and I think it's showing. I had time in the summer to improve my fitness gradually without injury and this is very important for a footballer. I also had a chance during the recent international break to work on my own and I've been feeling good.

"I'm very happy because Charlton have given me the time to get fit.

"Everyone works hard at Charlton and I'm happy to join in. They gave me a chance to extend my career and I want to repay them. We've been winning because we play as a team and this is very important."

It is no coincidence that Charlton's results have improved alongside the contributions of their one genuine star player. Although he sat out the Kevin Lisbie-inspired defeat of Liverpool, Di Canio scored the equaliser against Luton that started their winning run, created both goals in the 2-1 win at Portsmouth and Hermann Hreidarsson's winner at Blackburn on Monday.

Such is Charlton's confidence that they believe they can get a positive result against Arsenal.

Di Canio said: "This is a big moment for us. We've won three games in a row and if we can be professional over the next few weeks then we'll be in a really strong position.

"I'm sure we can take something from Arsenal because we will not be under any pressure. I'm confident we can play well and keep the run going but I don't know if we'll win. I am not Nostradamus."

Radostin Kishishev replaces injured defender Luke Young (ankle).