In recent years, Arsenal have been successful at developing quality youth players with names like Serge Gnabry, Thomas Eisfeld, Gedion Zelalem, Hector Bellerin and many more coming through the ranks and beginning to make a name for themselves within the first team. However, there is one young talent that Wenger has been unable to exert his football wisdom upon. His name is Wellington Silva.
The vibrant 21-year-old winger, who may not be familiar to Arsenal fans across the globe, has been at the club since the age of 18. This was following his arrival from Brazilian club Fluminense in January 2011 for what would have seemed a costly £3.5 million. Wenger (who seems to have a nose for sniffing out potential stars) stated he was “impressed” by the young man’s performances in the trial period he spent in the famous red shirt. However, due to the lack of a work permit, he has been unable to play for Arsenal and has been sent out on loan for the last three seasons. He is now on the verge of completing another campaign away from the North London club when this season comes to a close.
Silva has been sent out on loan to four different clubs, including Levante where he made only two first team appearances scoring no goals. The following season, the Brazilian went back to Spain and endured a more positive spell with Alcoyano, netting three times in just seven starts. Still unable to get the work permit required to play for Arsenal – he remained in Spain with division two side Ponferradina scoring another three goals in 20 outings, showing more signs of development under the watchful eye of the famous Woolwich club. This season, the talented winger has been on loan at Real Murcia and has made 28 appearances, but has been unable to get his name on the score sheet more than twice.
However, there is some good news for Arsene Wenger as a work permit could soon be granted to the Brazilian prodigy for the start of the 2014/15 season, therefore being able to join up with the first team of which Silva is quoted expressing his delight for. “I hope I’m given a chance of realising my dream of playing for Arsenal."
He was also quoted confirming that rumours of obtaining a possible work permit will be before next season. “The passport process is already underway, as there is a law in Spain that you can submit the documents after two years – in January 2014, I’ll have been here three years, so I hope I will be ready.”
Silva continued by saying “In July, preseason begins in England – I’ll have my passport and will be ready. I hope I’m given a chance to realise my dream of playing for Arsenal. It’s a strong team and I hope to fit in well.”
It is therefore almost certain that soon, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will be able to work with the bright young talent and certainly help him develop as he would have if he had been granted the work permit when he arrived in 2011.
What can Wellington Silva bring to Arsenal? Silva is a very skilful winger, with a lot of pace to add to a rather slow Gunners team. He has also learnt his trade in Spain whilst being away from the club he longs to play for, so he has developed and learnt the style of play that he will be merged into on his return to the capital, subsequently making it easier for the Arsenal boss to work his magic.
Can Wellington Silva make up for lost time and grow into a top forward within the Gunners ranks like many others? These players include Theo Walcott, who has been a key player at Arsenal since joining at the age of 16 and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has come of age after joining from Southampton as Walcott did before him. Chamberlain arrived just before his 18th birthday and is pressing on to further improve his Arsenal career. On the other hand, could Silva struggle to adapt to the physicality and the overall fitness needed to be a successful Premier League player? We will certainly hope that soon we will see the results when he returns following his long awaited appearance in the red strip of Arsenal.