Pedro Botelho has broken his silence on his switch to Arsenal, while also admitting he is still ‘left in the dark’ about where he will be playing his football next term. Pedro spoke to Salamanca daily “El Adelanto” and courtesy of our friends at Hala Union forums, we can bring you a transcript of what the Brazilian said.
He talked openly about subjects such as:
- Reports That He Wants To Leave Salamanca
- His Plans For Next Season
- His Tough Start At Salamanca & How Is Development Is Progressing
- The Long Bus Rides To Fixtures
- Returning To Arsenal For Pre-Season
- The Possibility Of Playing For A La Liga Club Next Season
The player affectionately nicknamed “Pedrinho” has currently ended his year long loan spell with UD Salamanca, and with claims in the Spanish press that he demanded to leave due to a lack of playing time, the 18 year old wanted to put the record straight.
“I do not know anything about this [laughs]” “I would like to continue here in Salamanca because I already know the city, the club, and I have developed some good companions”
“I do not have anything fixed for next year, I have to speak with my representative to see what is the best for me and for the Arsenal”.
“I am only 18 years old, and I do not want to have that to adapt to another country or another city right now”
Pedro went on to talk about the difficult season for him, and spoke about the hardship with having to break into a team which had already gelled in time for his arrival.
“When you have to debut in January, its very complicated. I have lost a lot of time, and i could only watch on as the team improved and became very compact. The boss gave all his confidence to the ones that they were doing it well, and that put me in a difficult situation.”
Slowly he managed to force his way into the team, putting in several impressive performances and endearing himself to the fans. The incredibly like-able youngster proclaims he is developing well in Spain, but there are some things he does not enjoy about life with Salamanca.
“I have learned a lot here, i learn every day. I have been playing barely two years [As a professional], I carry very little experience. But I am going to continue learning, I am very young. remember that I am only 18 years old!”
“I expected slightly more glamour and less hours travelling on the bus! [More laughing]. You believe that I have passed some time in my life, but 10 hours travelling in a bus?. Never. In Brazil we are poor, but these trips are done in an airoplane. [Cannot stop laughing].
After all the talk of Salamanca and his development, attention was quickly turned to life at Arsenal. Whilst being contracted to one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Brazilian could be forgiven for already thinking ahead to his return. But once more he keeps level headed about everything, and admits his learning process will be better served in Spain.
“I am going to remain one more year in Spain. Later I will begin to think about putting on the red and white shirt. Now I am going to spend three weeks in Brazil [With his family] and then I return to England. On July 7 I have to be in London for training and the on the 21st maybe I have to return to Salamanca. Who knows?”
The interview was concluded with him being asked if he will follow the route Carlos Vela took, and play next campaign in La Liga. Once more Pedro left the possibility open, refusing to rule anything out.
“Yes, sure that can happen [laughs]. They is many options open: to go to First, or to Second… I simply do not know!.
Salamanca fans have described his playing style as “individualistic”, as he has confidence in himself, and loves to take people on. At 188cm he breaks the mould of most giant players, because his best qualities are ball control, and electric speed.
Certainly an interesting prospect for the future.
Article By – J.Sanderson
first
Salamanca fans have described his playing style as “individualistic”, as he has confidence in himself, and loves to take people on. At 188cm he breaks the mould of most giant players, because his best qualities are ball control, and electric speed.
He seems to be a special player :D
good article mate looks like a good player for the future. do u no if nasri is still expected to sign today mate.
Any chance of him playin in any pre-season friendlies while hes taking part in pre-season training? Id love to see him in an Arsenal shirt…
“do u no if nasri is still expected to sign today mate.”
Lots of reports saying July the 1st now, duno how much truth there is behind them but i think the agent has got his way and delayed the transfer. What for…who knows
He likes to laugh.
J probably knows more than me thou
Wow, he does sound like a great prospect, does he play on the left, or could he possibly play at centre back? With his height i say get him headin the ball and throw him in haha, that should stop the ones over the top :-D
Why’s he laughing at every question? Is he a nervous shy kid?
well either way he seems like a nice kid!
Threre is a video of him playing on youtube that has actualy been linked by this blog but its very short…ill have a look for it now, its quite impressive to say the least though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vffmJEaUEw
There it is, quite inconclusive in terms of trying to work out what kind of player he is but impressive like i said. I think its safe to say though that if that his usual playing style we’d b foolish to move him off the left where he’ll get a chance to run at people.
os ǝdoɥ ʎluıɐʇɹǝɔ ı ‘dnɔ sǝʇɐɹıɯǝ ǝɥʇ ƃuıɹnp ɯıɥ ǝǝs oʇ ǝɔıu ǝq plnoʍ ʇı
Looks like a good one for the future then, we could have Nasri on the right, Fabregas and ? in the middle with Pedro on the left!
Sorry but does anyone else feel a little sorry for Denilson? He looks like a really good player but there is no chance of him gettin a game ahead of Fabregas and in my eyes they cannot play together.
Wonder what he is thinking of doin, maybe he will only be here for another season, would be gutted to see a talent like that go though!
it sounds like he is both defensively aware (having featured in in the back four most prominently this season) but with alot of individual skill as well- could he play in a more advanced role – i mean considering his frame and ‘individualistic ability’ could he not be utilised more in an advanced role – i hate comparisons but for his size, speed and individualitic abilities one cant help but whisper the word kaka. could he be used as a midfield player for arsenal? what is most liekl;y?
He laughs because he is a joker, and always has fun, which there is nothing wrong with.
He can play left back/left wing or even centre midfielder, but not too sure about playing centre back.
yo i thought u said we were presenting nasri at 2
what happened to the nasri deal bening compleated today i was going to wake up this morning and praise you but now it seems were back 2 squre 1 j. any new news.
J, is there any chance of him playin pre-season friendlies while hes training with the club or would that break some kind of rule?
ever one just see what the summer look like for a gunner
http://www.oleole.com/blogs/arsenal-truth/posts/adebayor-and-nasri-and-hleb-and-nasri-and-adebayor-and-hleb-and-adebayor-and-nasri-and-hleb
He looks like peter crouch on the pitch.
Sounds like a great talent, hopefully we will get Nasri soon too! That saga has gone on long enough for me!!
Pedro could play for us in a friendly say in Austria, like Eduardo did even through he didnt have his work permit through yet
you know what Arsen will bring Arshavin(the best player allready in the EURO 08) and will let go of Hleb. I wish !
hope he can be great as i love brazilians.
he sounds like a great player as most players that are tall and fast are.
i have only seen that run he did on net but thats it (is there more) he looks a bit lightweight but hes only 18 and 188 cm look at crouch never wear short sleeves coz of hes skinny arms lol.
i hope he plays in the la liga next year as players at arsenal need to play at a high level against the big names ie carlos vela v sergio ramos this made me think he carlos can play in the prem coz he proved it against the biggiest club in spain real madrid and he made theam look ordernery.
sanderson can this player be arsenals next left back / winger. thanks
Is he like Grosso of lyon and italy?
He is quicker than Grosso, and much better ball control. But in that mould
Today’s L’Equipe explains the delay in the Nasri announcement. Apparently Marseille want to transfer the profits made on his sale to next year’s accounts. So don’t expect anything until July 1st.
he is left back in this clip, he’s the lanky one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTFZYTYvII
Also Grosso is one of the biggest cheats in world football and an all round scum bag, this kid seems like a nice guy.
Like a nice Grosso then haha! :-)
Hi J great blog and you open up many forums for discussion.
I see a few guys have asked you about the Nasri deal, I note this link is about Pedro (looks good on the footage which Jonny Maverick posted) and perhaps that’s the reason you have not responded? However are you confident that the Nasri deal will be concluded today? Or is it looking more like the 1st July keep up the good research!!
this is a shorter clip of one of his runs, you’ll see what I mean when I said peter crouch!
http://youtube.com/?v=3vffmJEaUEw
lol@callum the arsemillwall fan “…I love brazilians…” -especially the brazilian ladies ey!? ;)
Totally agree. Grosso against Spain was playing as dirty as Roy Keane back in the days. Grosso has the sweetest left foot though. Those crosses from him are lethal. If Clichy could cross it the same way, nobody would question him as the world best left back.
js. when is this nasri deal going to be resolved
especially da ladies lol arse&nose
very good player
cool 4 that clip arse&nose
From the fairly brief clips iv seen of Pedro, he seems much more of a natural crosser of the ball than Traore or even Clichy. Gael, amazing though he is, has had to work on his crossing alot and is starting to look really good now. Armand, although assisting Bendtner a couple of times this season, often slices his crossers into the stands. Time is on his side in this respect, like Clichy his crossing at pace will improve. But Pedro seems to have a fanatstic left foot, he also has the frame for defence. If he can learn to tackle (there is an art to it imo) and position himself accordingly, I think he could be fantastic addition to our defence when he comes back. La Liga would be great for him.
Arse&Nose thanks for the longer clip this kid sure doesn’t mind getting forward typical Brazilian wingback love how he just bombs up that flank
No worries guys, you wouldn’t be able to tell he is just a kid from those clips; the future is promising!
we don’t have enough room for traore, clichy and pedro at left back so at least one will have to become a winger out of the two younger and gael is sound defensively and can’t score anyway
grosso’s blue asics boots are class,
ANy updates on Nasri?
Pedro is a huge talent. He is like a left-sided Kaka.
JoshWaaaaa Nasri is signing on 1 July. Hey guys any update on Arshavin?
I have decided to forget about Nasri till pre-season starts. He has obviously signed the deal, it just hasn’t been officially announced. Maybe L’OM wanted it to be on their next accounting year, as that article from France says. I know that Nasri will play for us this season and that’s all that matters.
why is it that every article in most Arsenal blogs has turned out to be a Nasri discussion no matter what the content is?
Take a break guys.
if he is a left sided kaka i feel even more sorry for manure losing ronaldo as they will be even more behind us in a few seasons… but how does he compare in midfield to Nani,Anderson or even our own Jack Wilshere? and the 1st July Sucks for Nasri couldnt someone announce it but put the 1st july on the cheque or whatever they do?
bring up a new subject ARSHAVIN
“we don’t have enough room for traore, clichy and pedro at left back so at least one will have to become a winger”
Traore has already expressed a wish to become a winger and has been playing as a winger for the reserves. Personally i thinik its a good mood cuz at the back he lacks concerntration at times. He also is very skillful and has pace to burn as well as being a good passer of the ball (although as Ruby044 said he needs to work on his crossing alot, he tends to miss alot of sitters aswell).
From what ive seen of Pedro (very little but enough to form an opinion) hes big and fast, good at the back and can assist going forward, es a left back alright and hes been beefing out a bit so i doubt he’ll look too crouch like by the time he gets to the club (unless we manage to get him a work permit over the summer on the special talent clause).
“bring up a new subject ARSHAVIN”
I would love Arshavin to come to us aswell. I think that we should get him and Nasri, especially if Hleb goes (and personally id say sell Hleb and get them 2). However he’ll cost alot and i doubt we have the funds. He’d be perfect though, can play down both flanks, through the middle and as a second striker. Much like Nasri excpect Arhsavin is better down the flanks and Nasri is better down the Middle. But like i said, i doubt we have the funds especially since there is so much interest in him and it just seems to obvious to be a Wenger move.
good move*
Sank You/ I like Asharvin very good yes. he good player :))
I mean :) plus Diogo
BTW, and im sure J will probably mention this is his next article but new friendlies have been announced:
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=493200&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Arsenal+announce+two+further+pre-season+friendlies
Hmm… we have Adebayor (if he is not leaving/sold), RVP, Carlos Vela, N.Bendtner, Eduardo (depending on his recovery) and Theo Walcott (when not being used as a winger) as strikers.
If none of the above players are leaving (Vela, Eduardo and Walcott will definitely not!), there is no space to buy a new striker.
Speaking of Diogo – i have just added an article on him :)
The training camp in Austria is fantastic, many of the young boys often go, like Randall did last year.
yeah think we are overcrowded in striker department but middle of next season we’ll be saying we shoulda had more when we get injuries
“like Randall did last year.”
Can i just say that Randall is fantastic. Like a said a couple of days ago ive been goin through the archives on Arsenal TV Online, looking for footage to make some vids and his long passing ability is out of this world. I didnt used to rate him but i think i was influenced by his appearence, after having seen alot of the performances hes been putting in for the reserves he really looks like a fantastic prospect.
Randall is a really big talent really talented cant wait to see him in 1st team red and white :)
I don’t remember who, but I read somewhere on here that denilson won’t be abled to play alongside Fabregas in the heart of our Midfield. I’d like to say yes he can, Okay he’s creative and attacking like Cesc, but, for a 19 year old kid with not much of a visual physical presence about him, he is strong in the challenge and can hold up a shoulder to shoulder battle for any ball. He is captain of the Brazilian Under 19 squad, and will captain the Under 21’s very soon. he wont be leaving for many years. That is a fact. I wouldnt be surprised if he played a majority of next seasons games alongside Cesc.
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i suppose someones already mentioned it but , gooner chris, if you remember last year eduardo couldnt feature in the emirates cup as his work permit was waiting on an appeal, presumably arsenal are planning to loan pedro back out and so wont be applying for a work permit just yet, so not the emirates cup, but as sanderson said, he could be able to play in the foreign friendlys
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