[2] In 2007 Arouca played regularly during the Copa do Brasil winning campaign, and also appeared in 30 matches in the league with Flu finishing fourth.

On 19 January 2010 Arouca joined Santos in an on-year loan deal, with Rodrigo Souto moving in the opposite direction.

[7] As a starter, Arouca was a key defensive unit in that year's Copa do Brasil and Paulista winning campaigns.

[8] In the following year Arouca was again ever-present, scoring his first goal for Peixe on 15 May 2011, netting the first of a 2–1 home success over Corinthians, in 2011 Campeonato Paulista final.

The abuse was condemned by the nation's president Dilma Rousseff, who invited Arouca to meet her at the Palácio do Planalto along with two others who had suffered similarly, Cruzeiro player Tinga and gaúcho referee Márcio Chagas.