Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal will make a decision on Santi Cazorla’s future in January after confirming that there is an option to extend the Spaniard’s deal for a year.
The 31-year-old’s current contract ends in July meaning the midfielder will be free to negotiate a move abroad in the new year should the Gunners decide against keeping him.
“Six months left,” noted Wenger when asked on the terms of Cazorla’s existing contract. “We have an option.”
“We can take this option. I would like to speak about that with Santi Cazorla before I speak with the press. I haven’t spoken to him. The decision will be taken in January.”
This week it was confirmed that Cazorla will be sidelined for at least two months as a result of a planned operation on his plantaris tendon.
Despite the obvious concerns about the player’s long-term fitness, Wenger hinted that the quality and experience of the former-Malaga and Villarreal man will play a part in the decision, as it did when he decided to extend Tomas Rosicky’s deal two years ago.
“It’s true after [signing a new deal] that he [Rosicky] got injured but that is the risk when you take an option. But Santi is an exceptional football player and it is just for him to be capable to play.
“The dressing room needs a balance between experience and youth-team players and you need to be guided as well by some experienced players as well when you go through difficult times. They help you always to keep your feet on the ground and keep focused.”
He’s my favourite player and I hope he signs, but it’s time to start planning for life without him in the immediate setup.
Emporium
We should extend his stay, no two questions about it. He is world class and one of the best players in the team. He can be moved to no. 10 whenever ozil needs a rest.
To say Santi can’t do a job for us for another year is ludicrous, and the fact that its in our hands to extend should make this a simple decision.
HE CAN ALWAYS CONTRIBUTE WELL BUT WE NEED ANOTHER PLAYER LIKE ISCO WHO CAN USE BOTH FEETS ALSO AS REPLACEMENT. COYG
WHY ARE WE YELLING?
Because, SANTI, SIGN DA TING.. SIGN DA TING..
LOUD NOISES!
Wenger should have had a long term replacement for Cazorla two seasons back. We all know how fragile Santi have become and to buy a long term successor to learn from the old one is ideal but not the Wenger way anymore.
With respect this isn’t like Tommy. a) he’s a guaranteed starter when fit, tommy wasn’t b) the squad doesn’t need old heads around like it did. To me this is the equivalent of saying we’ll see about extending Ozil/Sanchez, he’s that important. Although the massive caviate (that’s not how you spell that!) is the injuries.
caveat, if you were interested (I assume nobody is)
So we lack trophies but you wouldn’t learn from a Chelsea fan site 😉
Santi is one of the most important players in the starting 11. He sets the pace and links up play from deep. He’s a remarkable player. The problem is he’s rarely in the starting 11 anymore. It pains me to say it but wenger needs to start thinking about life after santi. He either needs to bring a similar player in or Frankenstein some players together in order to fill the void that he leaves. I still hope he signs another contract.
Santi shouldn’t leave The Arsenal without at least one champions medal, it would be heartbreaking
Let’s say that his contract isn’t extended. In that event, a midfield trio of Xhaka, Wilshere and Özil doesn’t exactly seem like the worst Plan B in the world.
A bit too left-footed.
He should be extended such that his playing career ends with us. Model football professional person he is.
No brainer
Ridiculous that there’s a doubt over it. He’s a starter any day of the week and we are struggling without him.
This 30s rule is stupid.
If the club are prepared to offer Koscielny a 3 year contract (he is 31) – and they are – this one year at a time extension (for over 30’s) is obviously a load of bollox. Give Cazorla a 3 year deal!
Hes the most brilliant player in the team.he’s two footed and you can’t easily tell the foot he uses.when hes in the team, theres efficiency and effectiveness.give him more 2 years period.
Of course we should extend his contract. We should be planning around him being a useful player off the bench or to rotate in rather than being a starter, solely because we can’t rely on him staying fit, but we should still keep him.
Heck, even if Wenger wants to sell him it would make sense to extend the contract.
There is absolutely nothing to think about. We shouldnt just extend his contract with 1 year, we should go for 3!
santi 🙁