Santi Cazorla; the pint-sized expendable asset
Two seasons ago, Arsenal purchased a little magician from Malaga named Santi Cazorla. Many had heard of him, but most had not seen him enough to fully grasp the quality that he would bring to the Emirates.
Thirty-eight league fixtures later, along with a host of Champions League and domestic cup outings later, Cazorla had won over everyone associated with the club – coaching staff, team mates and supporters alike, everyone who loved Arsenal had fallen for the little man from Llanera. Cazorla would go on to be voted Arsenal’s player of the season after a brilliant all around campaign. Unfortunately, it would not be a love affair that would last forever.
Arsene Wenger, in a moment of sheer forgetfulness when it came to his long-standing hatred of big money signings, completed one of the coups of his career when he brought in Mesut Ozil, who was widely regarded as the worlds best number ten – cue Cazorla’s downfall.
Though his time at Arsenal is seemingly coming to a conclusion, Santi Cazorla remains one of the more popular players in the squad as well as the clubs fan-base.
The question on everyone’s mind, was why Wenger felt it prudent to bring in Ozil when Cazorla was simply brilliant for the club the previous term. Naturally at that point, most Gooners would fall back on the notion that Cazorla had experience playing on either wing, and with the faith and reliance on Theo Walcott on the right, Cazorla would be slotted in on the left to ruthless effect.
While Cazorla was by no means poor last season, his numbers suffered dramatically (4 goals and 8 assists in 31 appearances, compared to 12 goals 11 assists the previous season *note: those numbers are EPL only*) as he, more often than not, was deployed on the left and far more isolated from proceedings.
The acquisition of Ozil is when the bell began to toll for Cazorla, but it would be Arsenal’s transfer activity this summer that, in reality, has made him an expendable asset. After a wonderful campaign in Brazil with Chile, Alexis Sanchez left the sunshine of Barcelona for the hustle and bustle of London. Equally effective on either flank, just behind the striker or as a striker, Sanchez is not a player you purchase for depth, but a player you bring in to make your XI that much better.
With continued faith being placed in Theo Walcott when he regains fitness, it is entirely plausible that Wenger will deploy Sanchez, Ozil and Walcott in an attacking trio just behind Olivier Giroud; in the span of just two seasons there was no longer a starting birth for the Spaniard.
The purchasing of Alexis Sanchez could well be the nail in the coffin for Cazorla, signaling a conclusion to his time at the club.
Some may say that if he loves the club that he will accept his new role that grants Wenger tactical options off the bench, but a player like Cazorla is not someone who should be subjected to a supporting role that may only last 20-30 minute each time he features, or the odd start here and there. Cazorla could easily start for any side in the Premier League (sans City and Chelsea), and with the additions of Joel Campbell (who will not be loaned out), Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as further attacking option, it is time to cash in.
Unfortunately, the reality of football is not FIFA or Football Manager, where you can stock your side full of talented players and no one will ever be unhappy. Like it or not, Cazorla is a player that must be first choice at his position, and anything less is a slap in the face. With Atletico Madrid now ready to pounce, it truly is time to say good bye to one of the most liked players in my recent memory as a die-hard Arsenal supporter.
Questions will surely have to be raised in the long run in regards to whether Cazorla was truly appreciated at the club, but I for one am thankful and appreciative of his contributions in the two seasons he has graced the pitch at the Emirates. If this is goodbye, it’s surely not one that most of us want to come to terms with.