I have to say, I feel a little bit sorry for Arsenal’s hapless left-back Andre Santos. For the longest time, he’s resembled more of a sideshow than a genuine footballer and his antics have seen fans begin to turn against him one by one.
As a result, nobody has been willing to give him the time he needs to get fully match fit and to start putting in good performances in an Arsenal shirt.
Kieran Gibbs is the Gunners’ number one left-back and is deserving of the role. He’s gifted technically, supports his winger well and can get up and down the pitch quickly. Yes, he’s got plenty of work to do defensively, but at his age, that’s perhaps not all that surprising.
His prominence in the Arsenal team, however, has resulted in Andre Santos having to bide his time on the bench, something that has gradually chipped away at his match fitness. So, yes, he looks sluggish and lethargic when asked to play, but is this really any surprise? I don’t think so.
I’m not an Andre Santos defender by any means – I think his positional awareness is nigh on non-existent – but I think he’s been pretty hard done by, by fans and pundits alike. There are plenty of people out there claiming that Santos is the worst player they have ever seen in an Arsenal shirt – this is surely hyperbole.
These same fans will doubtless be happy to see that Santos has travelled to Brazil to finalise details on a loan move to Gremio. By the time this article is published, Santos may have secured a deal that will see him play for Gremio until the end of the season. (Source: BBC).
It’s a sad state of affairs for a player that Arsene Wenger shelled out £6.2m on two summers ago. But the fact that Wenger went out and bought Nacho Montreal must surely signpost that Santos’ Arsenal career is coming to an end. I’m surprised that Wenger is putting him out to pasture so soon (as Nacho will by cup-tied for Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures) but it makes a lot of sense.
It’s a sign that he’s confident in the ability of Nacho Montreal to fill in whilst Kieran Gibbs is injured (or perhaps even to make the spot his own). The shadow of Santos has lifted – a good thing for the player himself and the club. Now it’s time for the fans to get behind the new boy.
What’s your take? Is Wenger right to let go of Andre Santos before the summer?
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“the ability of Nacho Montreal to fill in whilst Kieran Gibbs is injured (or perhaps even to make the spot his own)”
I’d say the left back spot is Nacho’s as of now. Gibbs will have to up his game to win it back, which is how it should be.
Arsenal fans are a pretty impatient lot! May be it has to do with the long trophy drought. Left to many of them players like Song, Ramsey, Diaby, even RVP would not have lasted their bit in the team.
But in this instance, I think Arsenal’s fame desire to ‘balance the books’ may be more behind Santos’ move than is fan pressure.
Star?