Santi Cazorla would have been a surprise choice for a central midfield role at Arsenal when this season began, but since being deployed there – in some ways due to injuries to most of the midfield – he’s been an absolute marvel.
While others might catch the eye with their goals, the consistency and quality of Cazorla’s performances have been fantastic, and he’s feeling very comfortable in his new position.
Speaking to Marca, who asked him how he felt playing in a relatively unfamiliar role, he said, “I feel so at ease. The manager has opted for me in this position and I have adapted wonderfully.
“Although I’m further from the penalty area, I find myself on the ball much more. I need to have the ball, to be in contact with it. The more I have it, the better I feel, and now I have it more often.
“I also have more freedom than on the wing.”
Asked, after the manager said he was in the best form of his career, he felt he was improving as a player, he continued, “I don’t know if it’s the best, but certainly one of the best. I feel well and important to the team.
“I’m taking a lot of responsibility, and I always try and improve myself. Last season I had problems with my ankle, and I couldn’t find my best level because of injuries.”
And after winning the FA Cup last season, Arsenal lifted what the former Malaga man called ‘The curse of 9 years’ and says the team believe they can continue to progress in order to compete for the Premier League.
“We see things differently,” he said. “We hoped to win the Premier League this season but paid for the losing streak at the start of the season. It was too big a gap to Chelsea, but if we maintain this level next season, we can fight for the title with anyone.”
There have also been rumours about a move this summer to Atletico Madrid, but he denied any contact had been made and hinted he might be open to stay in London for longer than the 12 months that will be left on his contract this summer.
“I have one year contract and we will see what Arsenal think about the possibility of extending the contract,” he said.
“I do not plan anything else for now.”
Cazorla signing a new deal would be one of the highlights of the summer, how could anyone not love this guy regardless of what club they support?
A Spurs supporting mate of mine (I use mate lightly, he just happens to be on my degree and good at FIFA) said the other day that he’d happily swap Bentaleb, Chadli and Eriksen for half of Santi Cazorla.
I told him he’d be lucky to get one boot 😉
“I need the ball. I need to be in contact with it.” I couldn’t have said it better! This 2-footed magician is an absolute pleasure to watch. I will completely understand when he wants to return home to his native Spain, but only after he’s helped us lift every trophy imaginable over the next 3-4 years 🙂
I am just surprised we haven’t signed him up already. He has been outstanding all season and even last season in a wide role he didn’t do too badly. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious and his extraordinary technique and vision have been a joy for all to watch. Surely he has at the very least another couple years in him.
Im sure im not the only one, but who else thinks blogs repeatedly talking about santi leaving is bollocks?
unless he knows something we dont, i have no idea where the conjecture is coming from?
Buy a newspaper or go to their websites, it’s been a story for some time now. Andrew is just saying what is in the media. I hope he stays as he is a fantastic player.
Well it’s because he’s only got a year left on his contract, so it’s perfectly reasonable to assume they may be thinking about cashing in
I’ve never paid much attention to the rumors of his departure; just seemed ovbious media nonsense. Oooh Santi Cazooooorlaaaaa!
Losing Santi would also mean losing one of the best player songs around. That would be sad.
I am surprised to learn that he only has 12 months on his contract – I thought it had at least 2 years to run?
Nope, ends in summer 2016. Although he did sign a new contract just before the cup final, I suspect it was something to do with pay.
That was kept relatively quiet, considering we hear about Theo’s contract situation every day in the media. I’d be much more concerned with getting our Santi signed up 🙂
But didn’t Wenger just say “He extended his contract last year. He was 30 years old and he has two years to go.” ???
Losing streak? We drew too many but there was never a losing streak.
Yeah, the draws in the early part of the season really felt like defeats though, we really dropped a bunch of points against teams we’d usually comfortably beat. The players seem to feel the same
Some loses in there, to Swansea, Manure, Stoke, Southampton. Santi should know, he was there.
To be fair, a lack of wins can be considered a losing streak.
I would say it’s not the best translation, “mala racha” would probably be better translated as “bad run” in this case…
And therein lies the answer: players like Santi are born winners, drawing a game for them feels like a loss, guys like that simply must win all the time.
We have true winners in this squad now who are in the process of taking us to the next level.
The future is very bright fellow gooners! 😀
I love you Santi!
and you love us, no? x
lol…
Our most technical player. Giving him a new contract is a no brainer.
Hope Santi stays for longer. I don’t know what position he played at Malaga or Oviedo, but he has been brilliant next to the coq. It is such a delight watching him play. With his smiling face, wonder control and passing and his positive attitude, I’m sure he’s a joy to watch, irrespective of club loyalties!
Played out wide in his early days, if i remember correctly
Cazozilexis is only getting started …
The Cazozilexis Axis.
Try saying that drunk
Top Man!
Twists, turns, left foot, right foot, low centre of gravity……… and cheeky smile!
Whattaguy!
Arsenal’s Messi!!
I don’t know but I feel so disappointed with Sp**s ….
..
Just kidding
If we can beat Swansea and win the FA Cup that should ensure the Spuds qualify for the Europa League!
It would be nice to help out our neighbours! 😉
Santi, I digg your partnership with the COQ. Perfect Combination.
Thumbs up.
switching Cazorla to a deeper, central midfield role is reminiscent of the Wenger of old, when he reinvigorated the likes of Petit, Henry and Toure by trying them in different positions. In his current position, Santi can be our Pirlo.
Yes, bossing the midfield till he’s 35. I like that!
i think we may have just found his best position…..he looks a natural in that role and this, i.m.o, is the best he has ever played in an arsenal shirt….and long may it continue!
And notice how little he gives the ball away.
Since Coquelin has come into the team, he has rightfully gotten a lot of credit for our improved defending. But Santi’s ball retention in that position has played a big part too I think. His work rate should not go unnoticed either.
I have definitely noticed. His football intelligence combined with outstanding technique mean nobody can beat him in tight areas. Last season we lost the ball far too often in dangerous areas and it cost us in big games, this season we had Santi dictating the games. Sign da ting!
Don’t forget his first season with us. He was in the No. 10 spot, and was our best player and one of the best in the league. Most fans were disappointed that he didn’t make PFA team of the year that season. It would be wrong to say that his performances now are better than his first season, just different.
Remember his shooting? How he was the creative hub of our team?
Ah fuck, accidentally disliked that. I agree though. In his first season Santi was this dynamic little beast that had everything one needed in a No.10.
Now he’s the reason that even Fabregas wasn’t accepted into this Arsenal team 😀
The way he has been talking about next season I don’t really think he’s planning to leave this summer which is very good news for us.
I feel he is very underrated as compared to your silvas, fabregas and iniestas.
Gotta love Santi. Class act. Been with us a while now too, so it’d be nice if he was around when we (hopefully) start winning more trophies. Make himself a true legend (if he wasn’t already).
Little worried about his shooting mind you. Doesn’t score anywhere near as much as he used to and looks a little out of sorts in front of goal. I’m sure its just a blip though. Form is temporary and all that.
We don’t need Santi Cazorla. But we do need another striker this summer. We should approach Spurs and offer to swap Santi for Roberto Soldado. I reckon Wenger could get at least 25 goals a season out of Soldado. This could win us the league next season.
I never knew that you rated Wenger that highly!!
Or alternatively that you think he is that crazy to give one of his best players to Sp*rs. And Santi is crazy enough to go…
Haha nice trolling
Interesting. Who trolls Arsenal fans or applauds those that do?
Sp*rs fans are the most likely as they have little else in their lives.
Hey Fattie McFat-Fat, I know you’re going for a record number of red thumbs but I will not oblige you. You’re having a laugh, surely, no?
no he’s not THAT stupid, some of the people who took the bait on the other hand…
Exactly
So how would you describe this: Trolling? or Wanting to waste the time of Arsenal fans? or Wanting to annoy Arsenal fans?
And the motivation: A sense of superiority over Arsenal fans? or a dislike of Arsenal fans?
I’d love to understand. Please explain.
I think old fats here was having a joke. Probably gets a hard time because his viewpoints are largely not in line with everyone elses (for the record i usually wholeheartedly disagree with you fats) but how bout we all take a deep breath and just laugh the fact that tottenham paid 25million, yes 25 MILLION pounds for that spanish gobshite. You can’t write that shit.
Ran out of crisps and needed to find some other way to feel bad about yourself, eh?
Really n****a?
You are deluded mate, if you think Soldado will get you 15 goals a season not to talk of 25.
Gotta love Santi. If nothing else he gives hope to short, tubby men everywhere that you can still be quality at football regardless of you size/weight!
Who’d have thought last September we’d be finishing the season with Santi and Coq as our central midfield pairing?!
he’s pretty lean actually. not sure where you get tubby from. he has a certain frame, but very little fat on that man, that’s for sure.
So Manure win thanks to a dodgy penalty. Who could imagine such a thing? Never in my life! And why is everyone so eager to see Manure in the Champions League? We all know they’ll just embarrass the Premier League, just like Liverpool. And yes I know we have a tendency to be embarrassing ourselves, but at least we’re exciting, whereas Manure and Liverpool are embarrassing AND boring, like Chel$ea at home to a ten-man P$G.
Football is entertainment. Santi entertains. He constantly talks of next season. This is great news,no?
Wish He can add goals to his game
Santi is pure class……. He always compose himself on and off the pitch. Wisdom on display……. I can’t wait to see you lift the PL in style at the scattered bridge. COYG
arsenal needs just 5 more points out of 12 to finish at least 3rd. I hope we beat Swansea on Monday though
Santi’s performance against Man City was one of the highlights of the season for me!