The revelations of Andre Santos will ask questions over Arsenal’s decision to sign him in the first place.
Arsenal loanee Andre Santos has made some interesting comments today:
‘I learned I was a fullback and now I’m totally used to playing like that, as one man in a four-man defence, whose first priority is to defend properly and to get forward only when it’s necessary.’
So hold on, Arsenal bought a full-back in 2011, who had no quantifiable experience or adeptness at playing in a four-man defence.
At £6.5 million the farcical state of affairs is no laughing matter, although it is pretty apparent by now that Andre Santos was nothing more than a panic buy after the 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.
Many would even question Santos’ claims that he has learned his trade, because he remains far from convincing; his shocking form saw him loaned out to Gremio.
It all does ask the question though as to why Wenger chose to sign the Brazilian and saw him as a fix for the Gunners’ leaky backline.
He had a reputation for bombing forward and attacking, rather than his defensive ability, and this was proven; a little shaky in his first season and shocking in his second.
But then we know by now that not all of Wenger’s signings turn out to be perfect; even in that late 2011 splurge – Park Chu Young was another shocker, but by contrast give the manager credit, Mikel Arteta has transpired to be an excellent addition.
Santos’ comments could have been lost a little in translation, but by now like Manchester United’s ridiculous purchase of Bebe, Arsene Wenger will certainly feel that he wishes Santos came with a money back guarantee.
Whoever recommended him to Wenger certainly pulled the wool over the manager’s eyes, and if it was the Frenchman himself; perhaps he just simply ‘didn’t see it.’
What do you think of Santos’ comments?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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