With Arsene Wenger already having a depleted squad of players available for the first Arsenal game of the Premier League season, the Frenchman needs all the help he can get from the players that he has. So the news reported this week after the game against Chivas De Guadalajara that Santi Cazorla would not be fully match fit until the end of the month was a huge blow.
I am not sure what has happened in the days since that game in America, but after our little creative genius played against the Norwegian side Viking FK last night, running the game from the number 10 position, it appears that he will be able to face the scousers of Jurgen Klopp after all.
I kept expecting the manager to bring Cazorla off as I assumed his inclusion was merely to help him gain fitness but halftime came and went and as the likes of Elneny, Campbell, Walcott and Coquelin were all replaced while the Spaniard remained on the pitch, our chances of winning that game looked stronger and stronger.
With no Mesut Ozil to unlock the defence the fitness of Cazorla is a huge boost for the Gunners, as is his ability to find and his understanding with Walcott, Campbell and Iwobi. So is Santi the key to us getting a good start in the Premier League?
Bob.