Arsenal loanee and left-back Andre Santos has expressed his desire to fulfill his contract at Arsenal, which still has two years to run.
With the arrival of Nacho Monreal, the Brazilian knew game-time would be hard to come by, although many Arsenal fans were hoping that a permanent exit would eventuate in January after a string of horrid performances.
However, the last day of the transfer window passed and only a temporary move eventuated with the Brazilian returning to his home country to play for Gremio.
Santos is quoted by Goal.com as saying on the move:
I talked [with Wenger] and we decided together this would be a good chance for me to get on top of my game. He gave me a hug and told me Arsenal would always welcome me back with open arms.
He did [want me to stay] but he wanted to see me happy and if I am not performing all the time, then I am not happy. Do I have a future at the club? For sure.
I always wanted to stay here until the end of my contract. This is a club where I feel comfortable and honoured to play. However, when the club acquired another left-back it was clear to me that I will not play.
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Hopefully, when I am back, I will be on top of my game and then I will be able to help the team the way I want to.
Santos has quite frankly been terrible whenever he has played for Arsenal both this and last season showing clear inadequacies on defence.
The Brazilian joins a long list of mediocre players still on Arsenal’s books including Sebastian Squillaci, Marouane Chamakh, Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner.
The simple fact is however, no other club will match the wages paid by Arsenal to players who perform nowhere near on par with what they are paid, particularly under Arsenal’s flatter wage structure.
It is a extremely frustrating that these funds are tied up in dead-ends when they could be used much more effectively elsewhere, particularly considering Wenger’s transfer and wage policies, the latter being something that needs a drastic re-form. Unfortunately the ‘socialist’ wage plan may be here to stay.
What do you guys think of Santos? How do you feel about the wage structure? Feel free to leave a comment below!
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