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.

NEW STYLE JOURNALISM MATCH REPORT

Charlton Community Beaten By Bridon

South East London, Charlton, Meridian Park to be exact has seen many a football match. On a moody Saturday afternoon where the weather was symptomatic of our year so far – predictably unpredictable; what was to be expected today? Well, in terms of the weather there could be no guarantees whatsoever but as the football match dawned closer, if one aspect of today’s weather were to be infused in the tension of the game it was the black clouds that lingered over both teams’ title aspirations. This was to be no ordinary game.

As the bumpy grass of a typical amateur football pitch looks up in the direction of the sky, 22 men with victory on their mind trampled across the open arena with a sole objective – to win. “I hope it rains” was the wish of Karlton Lynch and the Bridon Ropes team who were ready for the war. They were praying for carnage and destruction on the battlefield that they simply called “Meridian” or “home”.

Enter Bridon Ropes who are 2nd in the Kent County League, Division One West on 38 points, played a game less than the top team and on their own “patch”. Sounds strong until you hear of the arsenal in the armoury of the awaiting opposition. Enter Charlton Athletic Community. They are the top scorers in the league with 61 goals in 20 league games, at the top of the league with 39 points and the top scorer in the league, Kelvin Williams, who boasts a ratio of a goal a game. With pride at stake and in an immeasurable form of importance; the incentive of a place at the top of the league, this game would no longer be called such a thing as the two teams step across the white chalk line.

The two teams take their positions and wait in anticipation of the referee who will be the trigger to begin the rat race. As the game starts the tension and anxiety erupts into a flurry of frenetic, fast-paced, fantasy football not for the feint hearted. As the ball bounces around the pitch at the speed of a pinball it’s hard to imagine the players continuing to buzz around the pitch at such a frantic speed. There just seems to be no letting up by either side as the predicted profusion of passion is present from both sets of players.

As the pattern of the game begins to take shape, Bridon Ropes begin to take charge of the situation. They start creating chances at an alarming rate and the catalogue of attempts at the goal of Charlton Athletic Community is comparable to a whirlwind which comes in waves at 100mph. There is a determined defiance about the final defender of the goal, Sennington. He protects the goal by gliding through the air and palming away a shot in miraculous fashion as he appeared to be beaten and also smothering the rebound shot. This was the pick of the bunch as Bridon Ropes laid siege to the goal of Charlton Community. Before this opportunity Bridon had four attempts at goal, all saved by what could prove to be a match winning performance by Sennington. As the door seemed to be opening for Bridon, Sennington was slamming it in their faces.

Could this persistent badgering of the goal lead to an opening? The tide didn’t seem to be coming down and Bridons waves continued to come until a corner fizzed into the 6 yard box by Dawson was met with the predatory instinct of Gyamfi who nodded the ball past Sennington in a cool fashion but this was to be met with a chorus of “Come on Bridon!”

The deadlock had finally been broken and Bridon could smell blood. Straight from the kick off Bridon pursued more goals. For all their creativity there was no final product from Bridon and the game remained tightly poised at 1 – 0. Charlton Community were lucky to still be in the game and they seemed to pour forward just before half time in search of an undeserved equaliser.

They hit back with a response at the right time albeit down to a goalkeeping error and they crept back into the game with the killer instinct suited to such an important game. They get a free kick and it’s hammered in at the goalkeeper from 25 yards by Wilcox. Cross saves it but the rebound drops straight in front of the goal and the fox in the box, Williams, pounces at the first time of asking and pulls the game back to 1 -1. Charlton Community celebrate in a relieved fashion as they equalize just before half time. Perfect timing.

Bridon are disappointed to concede that goal but they are almost irked by the cheek of the opposition in doing so. They know half time is drawing. They come out with all guns blazing again.

In search of the lead Bridon are met by Sennington who stops a shot from Doherty curling into his bottom left corner. The sustained pressure continues and Bridon breakthrough again. Gyamfi was again at the peak of his poaching powers. He diverted a shot from Farrar goal ward bound. 2 -1 just in the nick of half time which is the least Bridon deserve.

As half time whizzes by the game starts in the same robust fashion. It’s not long before the game flies past such is the excitement. 15 minutes left and it begins to get edgy. A Beckham-esque cross from Farrar is nodded back across Sennington by Doherty and it loops into the back of the net. Perfect header, 3 -1, the game surely should be over.

That isn’t the idea of Charlton Community who are like a boxer that stays in the bout till the end. They score again within a matter of minutes to set up what will be a nervy finale. Paterson beats Cross with a placed shot. 3 -2.

5 minutes are left for Charlton Athletic to score but the resolute defending of West leaves Williams and Co frustrated as they can’t seem to get the crucial goal. In a matter of time Bridon deliver the fatal knock out blow which totally kills of the game and Charlton Communitys attempt to claw back themselves back into the contest and maintain their top-of-the-table status deteriorates. Gyamfi completes his hat trick with yet another header after expert delivery from Boyer and this sends the team into raptures as they sense victory is on the horizon.

With the lack of time and the stone-faced determined defence of Bridon, at a minimum and a maximum respectively, it was a matter of time before the referee drew an end to a slug fest of football which puts Bridon Ropes top of the league. This was definitely a game for the cool heads.

Reported by Floyd Francis May 1st 2010

Bridon Ropes vs Tudor Sports

ALV ‘AVE THAT!
Bridon Ropes 2 – 1 Tudor Sports
A late winner from Alvin Gyamfi helped Bridon Ropes edge past Tudor Sports to seal three vital points at Meridian Park.

The game was in danger of spiralling out of control as two teams lost their tempers but Bridon Ropes regained their composure to earn the three points which keeps them top of the league with a game to go. Each team had an attempt that hit the frame of the goal after 30 minutes but it was Jimmy Doherty of Bridon Ropes who rippled the net with an excellent rasping shot which the goalie had little chance of stopping.
As the game went on Bridon defended resolutely with West controlling the defence.

Tudor Sports were pressing hard for the equaliser but were unable to fashion a clear chance.

After half time Tudor Sports were the team on the front foot and were menacing going forward but had yet to make the breakthrough. The game threatened to brew when the Tudor Sports bench became incensed at a collision of heads between Semuda and their captain Phillips. He required stitching and was unable to continue. This didn’t stop Tudor Sports pressing hard for the equaliser as they were desperate to win and leapfrog Metrogas, Charlton Community and Bridon into 1st. In due time they got a deserved equaliser with a well taken delivery from a freekick by Staples eluding the whole Bridon Ropes defence to be nodded home at the back post by Stubbs.

Bridon were shell shocked but responded well and began to get into the game which had been dominated by Tudor in the second half. With injury time approaching Bridon had a succession of corners and Tudor started to rock. An enterprising delivery from Haxell was met at the near post by a predatory header towards goal by Gyamfi. The Tudor defence desperately tried to hack it off the line but it just about made it over the line, clinched the victory for Bridon and could prove crucial in the hunt for the title and promotion.

Floyd Francis reporting from Meridian Park, Charlton, 5th May 2010.