EXILED Andre Santos insists he WILL return to Arsenal when his Gremio loan ... - The Sun

He's a team man, Nachurally

NACHO MONREAL insists he gets the goal buzz — even when he does not score.

Arsenal's new left-back reckons providing assists are as satisfying as making the net bulge himself.

He said: "I am asked to defend well and not so much to score goals.

"When I go forward and assist others, it is as if I have scored, so that is a great satisfaction for me.

"It is difficult to say what your own qualities are, but I am a committed person and so give 100 per cent in every game.

"That is the best attribute that every footballer can have, that every Saturday you give everything you have got for your team."

EXILED Andre Santos insists he WILL return to Arsenal when his Gremio loan finishes.

The Brazilian flop was packed off to his homeland yesterday following the Gunners' capture of Nacho Monreal.

Yet Santos, 29, is already eyeing a return to see out the remaining 2½ years of his contract.

He said: "The idea is to go there, play well and be able to come back strong. Do I have a future at the club? For sure.

"This is a loan deal and after this season we will see where everything stands.

"I always wanted to stay here until the end of my contract. This is a club where I feel comfortable and honoured to play.

"However, when the club acquired another left-back it was clear to me that I will not play.

"I need to play, get my confidence back and Gremio is a good platform for this."

Emirates boss Arsene Wenger only rated the full-back enough to give him just 13 league starts in two years.

But Santos insists that he will be welcomed back to North London "with open arms".

He added: "I talked with Wenger and we decided together this would be a good chance for me to get on top of my game.

"He gave me a hug and told me Arsenal would always welcome me back with open arms.

"He did [want me to stay] but he wanted to see me happy and if I am not performing all the time, then I am not happy."

Wenger made a deadline-busting swoop for Monreal, who arrived on an £8.7million deal from Malaga as cover for injured Kieron Gibbs.

And Santos has opened up about the pain of seeing himself suddenly shunted down the pecking order.

He said: "I am not going to lie and say I was not disappointed.

"This was a last-minute deal and a clear message to me that I would not start for the rest of the season.

"Monreal is a good player and he will be able to help Arsenal. However, since I play in the same position as him, yes I was disappointed

"I thought this was my chance to get back into the team, play some games, and get back to the form that me, the manager and the fans were expecting from me."

Santos' time in Arsenal turned sour when he was ridiculed by fans for swapping shirts with Robin van Persie DURING Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United.

And Santos added: "The relationship was very good until the incident with Van Persie. I have apologised and moved on.

"I have all my respect to the fans of Arsenal. Hopefully soon I will be back and giving them many happiness."