I have a feeling that one of the main reasons for Arsene Wenger to persist with the same Arsenal starting line up for the sixth Premier League game in a row at the moment, is to accommodate our Spanish international midfielder Santi Cazorla and that could be to ensure that the little magician is still an Arsenal player next season.
I am not saying that Cazorla is not good enough to be in our starting XI, of course, but that his new role in the deeper lying box to box role is not his best position. This was highlighted again yesterday as Cazorla struggled to really take the game by the scruff of the neck and control it from the centre and that we looked much more potent when Aaron Ramsey was moved back to the middle from his wide right role.
There have been various Arsenal transfer rumours suggesting that Santi was wanted back in the Spanish La Liga by clubs including Atletico Madrid, and maybe Wenger is worried that he will be sorely be tempted to go. Not only do Arsenal need to be capable of winning the Premier League trophy next season, but Cazorla needs to feel confident that he will be in the team as we do.
With very strong competition for places from the likes of Ozil, Ramsey, Walcott, Alexis and Welbeck, our number 19 may feel under threat and so Wenger is moving to reassure him of his importance to the team. But can we really afford to do that in important games like the one at Old Trafford? Do you expect him to start in the FA Cup final and if so, in what position?