As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
I must admit i had never heard of or seen Santos before we bought him...but i had high hopes... A fullback who had played for the brazillian national side, i assumed he must be quality....
But he isn't...i know we should give him more time but i don't think that will make any difference...
He has a few problems with his game but i think the biggest problem is he is just too lax..it's like he's on prozac or something... slow reacting, passionless, he plays like he's having a kick around down the park..and that would be a little more acceptable if he was a bit special on the creative side, but he isn't..
I honestly thought we had got someone nearly as good as cafu, carlos, alves or maicon but the reality is he is not even as good as Gibbs...
Yes he scored, but i personally thought he was one of the worst players on the pitch yesterday.. How many times did he get done by someone who we almost signed (mata)?
His turning speed and pace over 5 yards is terrible but what is worse is his insistance on diving in to make a tackle! He got lucky on 3 or 4 occasions in the second half where he dived in so early and fortunately got the ball so to some looked like he was doing very well. In reality however, he didn't judge the situation on any of those occasions and a sharper player, a more intelligent player or any player from now on (once they watch the video) will now know he dives in EVERY time and will either embarrass him or get him sent off very quickly
Meh, a l;of of people are quick to write him off. You have to give players time. He's shown flashes in the games he's played. Its still a 'new' defence. He might take a while to settle.
rigsby wrote:Meh, a l;of of people are quick to write him off. You have to give players time. He's shown flashes in the games he's played. Its still a 'new' defence. He might take a while to settle.
This boy is fat! Should be sponsored by Krispy Kreme! I like him, nice chap but fucking hell is he an atrocious defender. At his age, he HAS to know that as a full-back you NEVER dive in on an opposing winger! You stand up to him!!! Zabaleta isn't particularly fast but he's proof that if you know what you're doing positionally, you can be tough to beat. Sturridge and Mata were skipping past him for fun, at one point he was overtaken by the linesman on a Chelski fast break!!!! He seemed outta breath after 20 minutes. Like I said like the lad, but what did people expect? He was hardly a rough diamond playing in Brazil etc.....He's an experienced footballer who was in the Turkish league. A panic buy and definitely not what this team needs.
This team needs a full-back who can actually defend!
As far as Saturday goes, I don't think I have ever seen a player have such an atrocious first half, followed by an amazing second half.
I am liking Santos so far, and one of the reasons for this is that he is a 'talker', and being left back is generally near the bench for all second half substitutions. He always offers a word of encouragement to any players joining the fray.
