Santi Cazorla has put to bed the debate about whether he’s right or left footed.
Capable of pinging pinpoint 50-yard passes with his left (see Hull on Monday night) and nailing 30-yard free-kicks with his right (see Hull at Wembley in May), the Spaniard’s ambidexterity has long been the go-to subject for Arsenal fans who’ve run out of anything else to talk about when they’re in the pub / on Twitter / waiting for a leak at the Emirates / bored of watching Chelsea.
Anyway, speaking to ArsenalFanTV in an interview with presenter Robbie to promote the launch of the new Puma evoSpeed boot, the midfielder explained: “For me, I always say I’m right-footed.
“Now maybe the left foot is good because last year I had a problem with my ankle on my right foot. But for me I’m better with my right foot.”
Santi went on to answer a series of questions from supporters, revealing he loves playing with the Gunners’ two record-signings and that Francis Coquelin makes his life easier. [Our response]
“We have so many good players, for example Alexis and Mesut. They are very good players and it is a pleasure to play with them.
“Alexis a top player. I’m lucky for him to be part of my team. He’s a good person and works hard every day in training and is one of the best players in the world of course.”
“Yes, of course,” he replied when asked whether Coquelin is his insurance policy in the centre of the park. “He helps me and Mesut and all the players a lot. When I play with him it’s a pleasure.
“I understand very well with him. When I’ve lost the ball he always stays there for a recovery quick. He’s a very good player, we’re lucky [to have him] and I’m happy for him.”
You can watch the full interview here and subscribe to ArsenalFanTV on YouTube here.
I think it would be incredibly foolish to let this man leave the club this summer without putting up some stern resistance.
Genuinely brilliant and versatile footballer. Wenger just needs to reassure him with regard to playing time and his role within the club. I don’t want us to go backwards. We have the tools and the team dynamic to win the league next season. No doubt in my mind.
We should just stop talking about him leaving this summer. He likes it here, he’s a very important player for us and he isn’t the kind of ‘fashionable’ player who will get an insane money offer from one of the extremely rich clubs. He is staying.
yeah, agreed. sorry about the pessimism. I believe that he will stay. I think that the competition for places is just very intense within the squad but that really should bring the best out of everyone who wants to stay and isn’t daunted by the challenge.
We don’t build our formation around one player now which is a much better strategy especially long-term. But I do feel that Özil is the one that everyone needs to look for whenever on the ball. Archetypal playmaker. Excited for him to destroy top sides next season. Inevitable really
He was asked in the interview if he would stay and win the Pl and CL and he said
“Yes, we want to improve in the Premier League and the Champions League,”
“I think if we play how we’ve been playing in the last 10 games then we have a great opportunity.
“I think we’ll sign new players, the team will be very strong and of course we want to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”
So that’s that
He truly is a wonderful player, albeit with obvious flaws, and on that note I’m not completely against the idea of him leaving – although I’d rather he did. We’re a club build on a tradition of respect, and I think (as much as I want him to stay and win with us) if he’s beyond certain in his mind that he needs to return to Spain, we probably shouldn’t begrudge him that. You’ve got to remember this isn’t easy for him either. The question ultimately falls on two variables: whether he can replicate this form, or supersede it, in… Read more »
Put down the crack pipe and step away from the keyboard.
What didn’t you agree with? *inhales crack* That he’s a great player with obvious flaws – his shooting, his physicality? That we’re a club built on tradition? I think they’ve both been duly noted. Or did you disagree that he should be sold if he can’t replicate this form past the age of thirty? Or with the principle that we are then left with the dilemma of whether to look (should he leave) for his replacement internally or externally? And if externally, shouldn’t we look to address a fundamental imbalance with the squad? I think they’re all perfectly legitimate points… Read more »
Its what positive fans too…your comment was too negative for him.
I don’t know what’s worse, your comment as a whole or the part where you talk about CDMs replacing him.
I think it’s more important that we address a fundamental imbalance in the squad, rather than addressing it as a like for like deal. What’s the point of another attacking minded midfielder, really?
I think that’s perfectly legitimate, so I would probably suggest you take offence at the comment as a whole rather than the CDM replacement issue.
I think Santi’s new deeper role suits him perfectly, I can see him playing a Pirlo type role for us for 3 or 4 more years if he wants.
But this role only works with Coquelin next to him. Therefore I think the most important summer signing is another Coquelin type player to provide top quality competition for this role.
I expect Flamini to move on and Arteta to stay as he will be perfect to bring on for Santi, so as shore up the team when we want to defend a result.
Why do people believe that Arteta will “shore” up the defence. That is easily the worst part of his game, Arteta is more of a probing midfielder that looks to break down teams whose sole mission is to defend.
Not to worry chaps.
These “Cazorla to Atletico” rumours were originated by the same bloke who claims that Wenger is “close to signing” Salmon Kalou.
With all due respect. I’d leave Santi at the Base with a dm, coquelin or new signing. No need for aretailers imp. Sorry captain, but Santo does your job better.
God I just wanna hug the little Spanish magician when he has that smile and tells stories of how he likes his team mates and the how its a pleasure to play with them.
For the record: he’s deffo left footed, I swear!
He’s half and half
He can’t say the stuff he has been saying recently and want to go. Fan favourite, he would be crazy to leave the love he has.
Like Cesc, Henry, Vieira, RVP
fan favourites leave…
They were all crazy to do so…
But i can’t see Santi going to a “bigger” club at his age so he’d be crazier – he’d be Hleb or Song crazy to leave
He can win titles and love here – he might not get a statue but he can help build one!
We could do a statute of him riding on Per’s shoulder’s rampaging through a field of spuds.
‘Fan favorites’ left coz we didn’t look like we were progressing. Now its different. Current form and boards willingness to splash cash on likes of ozil&alexis indicates start of new era imo. Onwards and upwards.
Double98, RVP also left at a quite similar age.
a/ he’s a cunt
b/ look at the table the last two seasons
c/ did i mention he is a cunt
d/ All of the above
Yeah, but he clearly enjoys playing football a lot.. and he does seem like the type that would genuinly enjoy playing long after he’s able to fight for a place in the top sides. I hope he stays and I do think he will stay for another season, but it also makes sense for him to switch to a mid-tier club in Spain while he’s still damn good. On that note, I love how bringing Santi deep solved the problem of Özil and Santi being so different players not really synergizing well. We’re suddenly getting the full output of creativity… Read more »
Oh Santi how am happy that you belongs to this family.
It’s great that he can just shrug off an injury on his weaker foot and use his other.
I imagine if both feet get knackered, he’s just develop the ability to ping 50-yard headed passes.
Not the ending I was expecting to that last sentence, I must be honest.
One thing that’s good about this group of players is that they come across as very likeable. I guess it’s not so important in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a nice bonus.
I’m not sure it’s a bonus but suspect it’s more of a deliberate recruitment policy by Wenger i.e. looking for sensible players in general who will gel well with the rest of the squad he has built.
Oh yeah I’m sure that’s part of the plan. The bad apples have never seemed to hang around that long in the Wenger years. Makes me wonder sometimes when Chelsea etc sign players – did we look at them first – and pass because their attitude wouldn’t work at Arsenal under Wenger?
Uh, like Gallas? He proved your point.
We would wellcome Ronaldo for a change.
No, we wouldn’t. That’s why the majority of fans were up in arms against the proposed signing of that little biting tyke Suarez, for all his obvious talents.
Though I admit the Arsenal bids for him were serious, which rather gives the lie to claims that le Prof only wants to sign “nice guys”.
Suarez and Ronaldo are very, very different personality types. Suarez is more like Messi than Ronaldo. He’s so utterly in love with football that it’s all that matters to him. In fairness this single-mindedness seems to consume him more than it does Messi, but Suarez is the sort of player who drags other players forward. Suarez will make a team play. Whereas Ronaldo plays football for himself. He has to be the biggest thing in the team because of his ego. He’s playing to enhance his own reputation, not because he loves the game or because he wants his team… Read more »
Gnawing on human flesh and being a nice guy aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive concepts. True, Suarez doesn’t always deal well with disappointment. Except for the biting its part of his charm as a player. Its why he fits in so well at Barca. Works to get the ball back-cause its his ball. Shares. Scores. I’m sorry we let John Henry ( may he drown in boiling excrement) renege on the contractual arrangement.
No the reason why some fans were up in arms was because they didn’t want anyone replacing dear HFB…its the same reason why higuain and benzema are overrated to them.
Is there any other players that are so good with both feet?
Probably not of a comparable standard of ambidexterity, but Pedro is really bipedal too.
There’s some bloke called Lionel who looked pretty good with both feet last night. What a great game by the way, so different from Maurinho’s enlightened approach to football.
bipedal: not the word I was expecting at the end of that sentence!
I suppose it makes up for Mesut “Unipod” Ozil
I wonder how good Ozil would be if he practiced using the other foot?
Up The Arsenal!
I guess you mean Ozil heavily favours his left but he is no schmuck with right – http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/hull-vs-arsenal/dat-ozil-flick.html
I just love him so much! Magical feet, wonderful personality and such a loyal player, moving about the pitch to play in whatever position the team needs. Top ten humans of all time.
So playing with coq gives santi pleasure?
His build up and style of play will surely take him beyond 33-34 with the same efficiency. ..keep hold of him gunners.
Anyone else look at the juve game and think that could have been us?
Love him to extent of naming my son after him so much talent very few player can use both legs
My little fella is Hector 🙂
Hector is 4 months old and has never seen Hector lose*
* he has seen him knocked out of Europe on the outdated and pointless away goals rule
Can’t imagine an arsenal game without seeing santi running into a crowd of opposition players and watching him scurrying away with the ball everytime, long may he stay I say!
What a guy. So humble yet so talented. I really hope he isn’t going anywhere this summer. It sounds like he’s enjoying himself here and the gooners love him to bits. If it does come to that though, I will have nothing but good things to say about him, that F.A cup final free kick was the stuff of legends. Certainly one of the most pivotal moments in recent Arsenal history.
Fantastic player. Wenger deserves credit for finding a way to play him in a position where he does the most damage. Santi must not be allowed to go in the summer. No way. Did you see the Barcelona v Bayern game yesterday? Sensational, wasn’t it? Messi’s second goal was sublimely brilliant. But he’s not the best player in history – that’s his compatriot, Diego Maradona. Messi’s club performances have been incredible, but he’s never done it in the World Cup like Maradona; that’s why you can’t compare the two. Maradona practically won the World Cup on his own in ’86.… Read more »
The Juventus – Real Madrid game was very good too. After those two fantastic, exciting games, I wonder if all the ‘experts’ are going to persist telling us that it doesn’t matter if Chel$ea win titles playing like a gopping great warthog turd, covered in platinum and diamonds by Damien Hirst so it costs £1bn.
Bang on!
Well said, football is a game of entertainment, unfortunately you will never get that from cheski/mourinho
Thumbs up for the credit to Wenger, lol.
I don’t get why people hate on you. You’re the one commenter on this site who I feel actually speaks his mind and never panders for likes. You’re not a troll, you’re just a bit controversial. But that’s how actual good discussions start, not some guy saying “totally agree, coyg”. Honestly I think Messi and Maradona are so close in terms of ability that you can’t really call whose better, it’s almost always a question of personal preference. Personally I prefer Messi for his attitude and his demeanour (and his fucking dress sense holy crap). Maradona was an amazing footballer… Read more »
Its hard to compare players in different contexts but as for now Messi is head and shoulders above Cristiano Ronaldo – He has played in a side full of superstars (e’to, Henry, ibrahamavich, Suarez, neymar etc) and while accommodating them he scores 50 goals a year and they score 30 In contrast Ronaldo eats his fellow attackers – he resents them – Karim Benzema for example has scored more than 20 league goals once in his entire career – He’s nicking a living as centre forward of real madrid – i could score 10 goals a season for them simply… Read more »
Easily one of Wenger’s best buys, how we got this guy for 12mil when people like Mata, who is a great player but not better thanSanit, go for 37mil
Wenger’s always had a great eye for a bargain. We got him for that price because Malaga had to sell.
I love the way santi said ‘my team’ instead of ‘our team’ when mentioning about alexis & ozil. That show how he loves the club a lot!
I love that little guy. I hope I get a Santi in my Christmas stocking this year.
Ohhhhh! santi Cazooorlaaaaaaaa! x 10
Most naturally talented footballer to play in the PL since errr Berbatov?
Last summer some people said the club should sell santi and get back cesc. I think they don’t know how important santi is. He helped us keep the top 4 In his first season when our squad was the weakest these years.in his second season he helped us winning the first trophy over these years by scoring a wonderful free kick in FA cup final. He is always hard working , never give up , never selfish . He always tries his best no matter playing in what position . I really love him very much
Top player! Been my favourite since his first season with us
I think I might cry when this guy leaves, I wish we’d signed him 10 years ago.
Lol at arseblog begrudgingly identifying arsenal fan tvs existence.
Healthy competition ay
he was a guest in the podcast not long ago
Eh he had him on the arsecast a few weeks back… they had a chat and it all seemed amicable and positive
but yeah we is living in a arseblog police state
And Arsenal Fan TV interviewed him –
In some cultures they’d be getting married at this stage.
Exactly, this episode right here: https://soundcloud.com/arseblog/arseblog-arsecast-episode-335-the-first-of-the-year
Robbie’s a cool guy. I don’t understand that comment at all. Especially as we’re not in competition. They do video stuff, I don’t.
I’ll remember his free kick against Hull in the FA Cup 2014 for a long long time. Super player, if only he could score more. .
If we get a Schneiderlin, say goodbye to Santi. Shoring up our midfield would keep from getting bullied by the likes of Chelsea.
Did you not see Santi’s performance at Man Shitty? He was a beast in DM.
If we get a Schneiderlin, I can’t see him getting into the team ahead of either Coquelin or Cazorla.
Schnederlin is better coq atm…whether you like it or not. People starting to get carried away now.
I’m just posting to show off my username.
What a guy!