Santi Cazorla says he’s enjoying the freedom that English football offers him, and says the Arsenal dressing room is currently a happy place with lots of laughter.
The Spanish wizard is away with Spain this week as they continue their tour of the universe before defending their World Cup next summer, and speaking to El Pais he touched on the differences between English and Spanish football.
“It is more open,” he said. “The Spanish League is bipolar, the English is more fun. That does not mean that La Liga is not nice to play, not better or worse, is another thing entirely. Now I’m having fun and learning new things – that makes you grow.”
Quizzed on what’s changed at Arsenal, now sitting top of the Premier League instead of playing catch-up on the leaders, he said, “We have matured, I think.
“We had to be more consistent and we are, this is a defect that we have corrected. We are committing fewer errors. Last year, by forgetfulness or lack of concentration, we foolishly lost games and we’ve learned from that.
“But the Premier League is very open. Between us and United is just five points … and look at Man City, who lost to Sunderland or Tottenham who just lost at home. The Premier League is not easy, not like Spain, there is more equality.”
Santi also spoke about the signing of Mesut Ozil, describing him as a gift to the team, and that he brings, ” … something different, pure talent, he is magic.
“Sometimes it seems that he’s not there, and then he can change a game with a control, a pass. We were surprised he came to Arsenal, because we didn’t think he’d leave Madrid and then for him to choose our team! For us it is a gift.”
And on his own contribution, he said, “Joy, inside and out. I love to laugh, even in difficult times I’m trying to bring positive thoughts. They say I always laugh, but it is a way of seeing life. And I think my football is like that, happy.
“The important thing in any dressing room is to have respect, and Arsenal is like that. We have a mix of youth and experience and we laugh a lot.”
“I do not understand football without joy. I do not understand how you can play without joy.”
What a guy.
It is only a game after all.
At this rate, spain will be travelling to the planet pluto to play next.oh,wait, pluto isn’t even a planet!!!!!!
Sometimes, when Santi is pressing opposition defenders in deep in their own half, he puts his arms out to the sides slightly as he runs about. I like to think he’s making aeroplane noises as he does so.
He is Santa Cazorla, always brings joy! Ho-ho-ho!
Surely it’s Santa CLazorla? No? Should I go?
Maybe sit the next couple plays out
I’ll get your coat…
Happy Happy Joy Joy! Mighty Mouse Cazorla is amazing, oozes awesomness. Can’t wait to see him bang loads more goals in this season and form a deadly partnership with ‘the gift’ Özil.
COYG!!!
..brilliant
Hope he continue to play with a smile on his face and and end up smiling with a trophy in his hand at the end of the season.Top guy and player.
Santi de Saint makes it simple to see what makes us Gunners a class-act and gentlemanly club; For Life!
Ohhhh Santi Cazorlaaaaaa ohhh Santi Cazorlaaaaa
This is one of the best news articles that i have ever read on this Blog. Really underestimated Signing he has been. Has to be one of our Top signings of all times. Hopefully history can prove this. Needs to win trophies for this to become true
Gotta love the little guy. What a steal he was!
Few days back I was looking at all the goals Arsenal scored last season. Santi Cazorla was involved in more than half of he goals. Brilliant talent.
Spot on mate.
That’s what makes this season so exciting, we haven’t seen the best of Santi, Ozil, Wilshere, Theo, Ox and Poldi and yet we are top.
I think Santi is right. We play more with determination not to lose. We mark, close down gaps like a team, cohesive at the back, team play & communication. I think the greatest thing Arsene Wenger has done is to have the courage to drop under performing players, despite their team status
Mind you we have yet to see the best of Cazorla and Ozil combination. Great times lie ahead for the gooners!
I’m having more fun watching Arsenal this season
just cant stop loving the Arsenal…
Cazorla is the Miro of football
Oh santi!
… meanwhle in Cheshire, a certain spud-faced nipper reaches for his agent’s mobile number upon reading about this “more mature” Arsenal where “fun” can be had…
Good thing we never signed Cabaye then so.
I dunno, it’s just you know, at first sight, I just know that Arsenal is different from other clubs. In Arsenal, we could easily see a respectful manner towards each other yet many funny moments happen. It’s just not an FC, it’s just a group of people that care about each other and love to play football.
I really truly agree with you mate< i support arsenal cus of the respect and honour we have for each other. AFC club of respected people,gentleman club…
what does he mean when he says that la liga is “bipolar” ??
I think maybe that only two teams can win it
I think duopoly would have been a better word, but he explained it better in English than I could have in Spanish!
I’m guessing he means that while the Premier League is open, in that any team can beat anyone else, in Spain it swings from one extreme to the other. Basically good teams battering the poorer teams or games being lethargic one time and manic another. Something like that…
It means the league is suffering from a psychological disorder ofcourse. Nothing to do with two teams winning the league..
““I do not understand football without joy. I do not understand how you can play without joy.”
He could ask Mata what it’s like playing under Mouinho?
Aseholes. It looks like the ‘r’ on my keyboard is playing up.
Harsh, he probably means sometimes its a laugh and other times it makes you wanna slit your wrists.
Agree with him about playing with a smile. You see so little of that nowadays in premier league.
santi, his bloody english has well improved
watch him on the twitter takeover on the official site, he couldn’t string a sentence together last year
Are these quotes translated? His English is very direct and intelligently eloquent! (if he did this interview in English that is)
“Everyone says I laugh all the time” – There’s always a picture of him smiling or laughing in training!
Adam Llalana made really nice comments about Santi. Said he was so technically gifted and most impressive player he faced last year. Or something like that.
Top man
Is bi polar not a bear that swings both ways?
Ooh santi cazooolah!
John Terry is a cunt.
Everyone’s really excited with the thought of Ozil and Cazorla playing together, but I just can’t wait to see what happens when you add Walcott to the mix. Premier League defences better get ready.
Great player and great attitude! This is a man who turned down mighty Real Madrid as well when he was with the Yellow Submarines!
The question is, will he ever learn english so the fans can love him even more? Or will he be like one, Bobbie Pires and not learn the lingo but be forgiven by all Gooners as he graces us with his football beauty?
Astro Boy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Boy_%28restaurant%29
…or big boy (well, a small Spanish one)