Andre Santos

Whenever I feel angry or depressed about certain money-grabbing, traitourous thunders such as Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri betraying Arsenal, I simply have to look at our cuddly Brazilian left-back and his approach to every game he plays, and I cannot fail to be cheered up.

The guy has no swagger, no arrogance, no open-arm roaring celebrations, no bitter shushing of random journalists, he just seems to radiate joy whenever he plays, and his spirit is to be admired and cherished in this football world where it seems that many players treat their football as a way to win money, fame or to fight their battles against their critics. Santos is just a breath of fresh air, and the way he continued tweeting his bizzare exclamation filled tweets whilst he was on the sidelines injured shows how much of an irrepressible character he is.

Many Brazilians struggle with life in England and the PL, and soon they often become a sulking, erratic figure who doesn't know what work is. Santos meanwhile has settled in brilliantly, he is very happy in London and he just keeps giving on the left-hand side, always an outlet, always willing to take the ball, and when he is faced with a tricky situation, he uses a slick, neat piece of skill, rather than adopting the Brazilian norm of a million step-overs or the English favourite of smashing it as far as possible towards Crouchy.

Sure. he isn't the greatest defender, and I wish he was a little more solid, a little fitter, a little quicker and more positionally aware, but maybe that's part of what's so endearing about him. I remember in particular the Chelsea game where he was given the run-around in the first-half, didn't know what the hell was going on, and by the end of the half I was raging at him. But then in the 2nd half he showed his talent, composure and especially his perserverance by continuing to get forward and scoring a crucial goal shortly after half-time, before proceeding to do a Brazilian dance to celebrate. And this is why he's so lovable: he is partly great perserverance and willingness, partly skill, flair, and a very coulourful character.

And whether you rate him as a defender or not, there's one thing you can't deny: he is a true Brazilian.