Santi Cazorla has admitted to being a fan of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and sees similarities between himself and the Norwegian midfielder.
Cazorla was with the Gunners between 2012 and 2018, making more league appearances for Arsenal than for any other club.
He remains a fan favourite, and most Arsenal fans were saddened to see him leave after an injury-riddled final year at the Emirates.
Now 39, the Spaniard still plays for his boyhood club, Real Oviedo, where he essentially plays for free.
Cazorla has been closely following Arsenal’s quest to win the league under his former teammate Mikel Arteta.
While he enjoys watching several Arsenal players, he sees Odegaard in a situation similar to his own when he moved to the Emirates.
Speaking about the Norwegian, he said to the Daily Mail:
‘I love [Martin] Odegaard.
‘He wanted to be an important player somewhere and at Arsenal he has found that. I see myself in him because when I went to Arsenal I found a coach, in Arsene Wenger, who had so much faith in me. The second season he made me captain almost before I knew how to say hello in English!’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Odegaard has been such a revelation for us since he joined the club and his performance in the last two seasons has deserved a medal.
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He was better than Odegaard.
After reading the article, it’s clear to me that Santi is comparing his aspiration & attitude with Ødegaard’s, not his on-field ability.
Far better
Cazorla what a player!!
Loves what he says about playing alongside Ramsey and Ozil and his thoughts on Odegaard.
Hope to see him back alongside MA at some point and, also to be able to say thanks to Monreal and Tierney, if the latter does leave.
Excellent servants to the club, all three of them.
Cazorla was an amazing player
This is the type of player we need to take us to the next level. Easily dribbles and shoots with both feet, can turn defence into attack on a dime, and never gets caught flat footed, among many of his superb talents. Santi The Magician 👏🏾
Definitely a lot of playing things in common.
Surely another midfielder must be on top of the cards in the summer