ANDRE SANTOS: A GIFT AND A CURSE

Welcoming Andre Santos; A flamboyant wing-back originating from Brazil.

He has emerged into the first-team eleven with a swagger and presence only to be expected from the brilliant Brazilian school of wing-backs.

He arrived at Arsenal Football club on transfer deadline day, with the usual stigma attached to Brazilian defenders; very good going forward but poor in defence. A general idea of his instincts were to be confirmed when he chose the No.11 jersey commonly used for wingers. This signalled the intent of the wing -back, who at the age of 28, would be classed as experienced cover for Kieran Gibbs.

However, Santos had other ideas which have seen him become something of a cult figure at The Emirates. He has scored 2 goals in 7 starts including a key goal in the 5-3 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

He makes marauding runs which display the typical traits of a Brazilian wing-back. Years of studying Roberto Carlos and Cafu prove the mentality ingrained into a Brazilian wing-back is "attack is the best form of defence".

The entertainment factor Santos provides is top class and there is no denying that his forays into the final third leave us exposed at the back but he brings a new dimension to the Arsenal attack, which hasn't been so productive since the days of Ashley Cole.

The Brazilian flair which Arsenal have been crying out for, has been a welcome addition as far as I'm concerned. The fact that Santos can already boast the same amount of goals that Clichy scored in his entire Arsenal career shows the cutting edge he will bring to the Arsenal team in attack.

As Wenger has said, “I feel it’s an important part of winning – having a full-back who creates.” I agree.

"NEW DYNAMIC AT ARSENAL"

After the mass exodus, the Old Trafford destruction, the last-minute scurrying around in the transfer-window and the International lull, Arsenal now have an opportunity to settle down and start their season, albeit a month after the start of the league.

Arsenal seem to have shifted a whole lot of players (wages) and now seem to be on the way to rebuilding the squad. Players potentially scarred by failure i.e Eboue, Clichy, Denilson etc have been removed and replaced with young, hungry and English talent in the form of Carl Jenkinson who was signed from Charlton for a mere £1m, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong who came through courtesy of Arsenals academy.

He has also invested in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, one of the brightest prospects at under-21 level, as demonstrated against Israel in midweek with a 45 minute cameo including 3 assists and a won penalty. Add this to Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey who are already first team regulars. This wave of British talent at Arsenal seems to be a conscious effort by Mr. Wenger, who has already expressed his frustration at developing young players to then see them move on. This problem won't be the same with British talent. With British talent there is a premium but the price you pay is the peace of mind knowing that they are less likely to move on to your rivals or simply back home i.e Nasri, Fabregas and Clichy. In other words, you pay for loyalty.

Couple this with getting rid of players who no longer wish to be at Arsenal, you now have a much tighter unit, money in the bank and less wages are being given to players who hearts' are not in it. The players who couldn't find new clubs like Almunia and Squillaci have been removed from first team duty with Wenger adopting a strategy which requires the correct desire.

All that is left to do is get in more experienced players to complement the batch of young players who are already on the cusp of the first team. Mertesacker, Santos, Arteta, Gervinho, Benayoun (loan), Chu-Young all represent that; Experience. I'm quite sure Wengers business is not over and he definitely will not be content with his squad but one thing is certain, they will be able to benefit the squad.

Mertesacker has 60+ caps for Germany, Santos (28) was Brazils left back at this Summers Copa America, Arteta spent 6 years as a regular starter for Everton, Gervinho just done the Double for French Champions Lille and Chu-Young is South Korea's captain so I expect guidance from these players for the new, hungry and fresh batch at Arsenal.

This Saturday's game vs Swansea will be as huge as the demolishing by Manchester United. It's a chance to get the first win of the season and will certainly be the type of game we need after a drastic overhaul of the squad. One thing is for sure, we now have players eager to prove a point and hungry to seize the opportunity.