Colombian trialist Sebastián Pérez refused a work permit.

[One Wilf Copping]

http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/perez_blow_for_arsenal _as_transfer_struggles_continue_1_2334024 (http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/perez_blow_for_arsenal_as_transfer_struggles_conti nue_1_2334024)

The Home Office seem to make up the rules as they go along...

They used to account of a countries football ranking for uncapped players from non-EU countries to help them make decisions on an exceptional basis. That's what happened with Denilson, for example. Colombia are currently ranked third in the world by FIFA so it's hard to see why they're being so rigid here...

:banghead:

[Brentwood]

[Red N White Army]

He can only apply for a work permit out of the country. Formal application put in, rejected due to 0 caps etc, then we have to apply for a special super dooper kids permit?

[Rich]

years before we can have him.

Maybe include that loan to Madrid as part of the Benzema deal?

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

training for years before being ready to step up, he would have been straight into the first team squad. Showed massive potential against City. This may be one of the ones that comes back to haunt us.

[Maravilloso Marvo]

He came on with the game finished at 3-0 and has some nice touches and passes all under NO pressure from the opposition who had given up. There is no way you can judge him on that. What he did, I would expect anybody who is having a trial at Arsenal to be able to do.

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

He looked so average we wouldn't even buy him then, only at the last minute did we pick him up on a loan deal for a year with an option to buy at a certain fee. A fee in the end we renegotiated down. I'll never forget his debut when he came on for the last 10 mins against Everton when I think we were 2-0 up. He was utterly shocking, that was by far the worst debut I ever saw. Almost threw away the 3 points as he couldn't even control a ball or make a 3 yard pass. Who would have thought he then would go on to become our key midfielder.

[Maravilloso Marvo]

But what you are comparing there is the mental strength of a player to deal with the situation of making a debut for Arsenal. Not really linked to his physical abilities. Song was overwhelmed and couldn't do a thing right, much like Eboue when he came on and then was taken off against Wigan.

But all of that is slightly against my point. A player doing simple things right when under no pressure from the opposition is a basic standard of footballing ability you should expect from any professional player. It doesn't mean they show amazing potential. Amazing potential comes from a player who looks like he always has time on the ball even when under pressure, aka Wilshere or Fabregas.

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

Philippe Christanval played those games as well and looked much better.

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

Philippe Christanval played those games as well and looked much better.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/11/PhilippeG271106_228x342.jpg

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Players who you think show potential in trial games don't necessarily go on and be a success. So basically you don't see in a footballer what is actually needed to become a top top player.

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

[Maravilloso Marvo]

are calling this one wrong. You don't know what to look for in a player at this stage of their development.

[NOT Nicosia. Now banned.]

did.

[TRENT COLTON]

[barrybueno]

They let in untold piles of poncing c**ts every day then make a pathetic stance over a guy with a guaranteed job who will pay in obscene amounts of tax and ni. Once again... :****er: :****er: :****er:

[ITSUPFORGRABSNOW]