The shirt swap that grasped the world (Video)
It was an act that, to some, was deemed the most unacceptable, but far too much is being made of the Andre Santos-Robin van Persie shirt swap at half-time during Arsenal’s recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
With the football world watching, the Brazilian, alongside his former teammate, headed for the tunnel, put his arm round his Dutch counterpart, before van Persie “shockingly” gave his jersey to the left-back.
In a game where numerous individual errors led to United’s two goal advantage, it was this moment at the interval that riled up journalists and the pundits at Old Trafford that afternoon in Manchester. The first thing I have to say on the matter is – who really cares?
Half-time shirt swapping is, more often than not, a custom in South American football, so why shouldn’t Santos ask for van Persie’s after the initial 45 minutes? At a time when referees are adjudged to have racially abused players and fans are attacking footballers, this is deemed the heinous of all crimes.
Little was made of Jack Wilshere chatting to van Persie prior to kick-off, so why this? Because Santos had a poor half and it’s another facet to pick up on and scrutinise? Wenger recently spoke of his unhappiness, but insists it’s done and dusted.
Furthermore, Santos has apologised for asking for a memento from his former teammate, so how about forgetting about it? It’s a waste of time and energy that has unnecessarily overshadowed a game of football. With yet more football on again between now and the end of the week, it’s time to move on and focus on what makes the game what it is, not a nonsensical witch hunt over a player asking for a shirt.
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