The Arsenal and Spain international star Santi Cazorla has won over a multitude of new fans since he moved to the Premier League from La Liga’s Malaga three years ago. The diminutive midfield magician has played in a number of roles for Arsenal and I am sure that Arsene Wenger will ask him to do so again at times, but the boss does seem to have settled on the central midfield role as the best one for the Spaniard.
Cazorla himself appears to be very happy in his new position as well and perhaps that is because of the extra defensive strength and protection that the breakthrough of the brilliant Francis Coquelin has given him in the middle of the pitch.
The emergence and effectiveness of Cazorla in the central role has certainly coincided with Coquelin’s return from a loan spell last season and the Frenchman’s performances ever since. Those performances have proved the former fringe player to be one of the very best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and Europe, or that is what the stats say. Now Cazorla has added his own opinion to the stats and lavished praise on Coquelin.
Santi told the Arsenal website, “It’s amazing playing with him. He’s helped me a lot. He plays well, he defends well and I think he’s one of the best players in this position.
“We are lucky because he plays for Arsenal and I enjoy it a lot with him in this position.
“I feel better every game. The most important thing for me is always to help the team.
“I had an assist for Giroud and I had so many chances to score but the keeper made good saves.
“I feel good and I always want to help the team, that’s the most important thing for me.”
Is this the central midfield pairing that can finally steer Arsenal to the title?