YOUNG GUNNERS IN SPAIN – Four Arsenal kids in La Liga

By Liam Bambridge
Updated: 18 January, 2012

Pedro Botelho (Rayo Vallecano)

Interestingly Botelho was one of two South American youngsters targeted by Arsenal in the summer of 2007 – the other was Angel di Maria, and on current evidence they very definitely got the wrong one.

Botelho has never played for Arsenal’s first team, having so far failed to secure a work permit in over four years of trying, and his four seasons in Spain have been blighted by ill discipline.

He managed to keep out of trouble in his first year with Salamanca, but when he was sent back there for a second, he fell out with the coaching staff and his loan was abruptly terminated.

Two seasons ago at Celta he seemed finally to be fulfilling his undoubted potential, and he put in another decent shift last year for Cartagena. However since joining Rayo Vallecano for yet another season long loan in the summer, his performances have drawn heavy criticism from Rayo supporters, and he did little to endear himself to them last month when he suggested that he would rather not hang around much longer.

This week he effectively sealed his fate by being arrested for drink driving after crashing into a police car, a move which seems certain to persuade the Madrid based club to wash their hands of him. It seems highly likely that Arsene will do the same.

Future Arsenal first teamer?

Zero chance of that happening.

Continued to NEXT PLAYER

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