Cazorla staying put! by SB
Santi Cazorla was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. His performances helped the Gunners retain the FA cup and made Arsene Wenger choose Cazorla as the Gunners’ player of the season. The Spanish international thrived in a deep-lying midfield role and his performances didn’t go unnoticed. Interest from foreign shores was a natural outcome. And hence when rumors linked Cazorla with Atletico Madrid, it didn’t create a flutter.
But, the ‘magician’ went ahead to clear the air and commit himself to Arsenal. Cazorla feels that he is very happy with Arsenal in the Premier league and feels wanted and valued by the team and supporters. The jury is still out if last year was Cazorla’s best year in Arsenal colours but it undoubtedly was an important one. The midfielder now wants to take the next step and challenge for the Premier League crown.
Talking to Goal at the launch of Arsenal’s new Puma home kit, Cazorla told that the philosophy of Arsenal and Barcelona is the same and wants to dominate the EPL.
Cazorla said: If Arsenal can in the future reach the level of Barcelona, that’s the goal,”
“Barcelona are the reference point for the football world and all of us want to be closer to them.
“All teams want to win and to do it like Barcelona. We at Arsenal like that philosophy too.”
The Gunners are without a Premier league title since 2004. Though the FA cup victory in the last two seasons is a welcome boon, it still doesn’t soothe the long standing pain of not winning the league. Cazorla believes that Arsenal has the same footballing philosophy as the hugely successfully Barcelona. He wants the club to replicate the dominance of the Spanish giants.
The criticism of the Gunners has always been that, in the past decade, the club gets satisfied with a Champions League qualification place. After two successive FA cup wins, it is a chance for Wenger to build on that success.
Cazorla has confidence in the gaffer and his methods. He thinks that Arsenal will soon be the Barcelona of the Premier League. This could be the reason he chose to dispel fears on his transfer….
SB