Morning all.
Our last game was a bit of a huff and puff to secure victory despite dominating possession.
Pre match though, there was a bit of excitement as Santi Cazorla was at The Emirates and before the game, in the Live from N5 studio to talk about his bond with Arsenal supporters:
They helped me a lot from the beginning when I arrived. I don’t know why they love me like this! But the only thing I know is I love them the same way. Thank-you very much for the support not only here but around the world.
Asked about the current team, Santi gave us some words for encouragement in the title race.
They are doing really well. I love to watch the games now. I know it’s difficult for them to beat Man City last year, but we have to fight until the end. Keep going and I hope Arsenal can win this league.
I think I’ve heard/read this next bit before now but it still makes me chuckle today:
I remember when I was with him to watch the games together and he’d stop the game to talk about tactics, how we have to play, and I’d say ‘Mikel please, I want to watch the game!’ I think we’re lucky because I think he’s one of the best coaches in the world already.
Mikel Arteta being considered “one of the best coaches in the world” is something else I’ve read several times before. At some stage though, he’s going to need to deliver trophies to prove such a theory and yes, I hope he does, with Arsenal of course.
Arsenal.com
Staying with Cazorla, he’s apparently close to hanging up his playing boots which is hardly surprising as he’s 40 years old. We talk about needing a bit of creativity in the final third, well, a 25 year old Santi Cazorla would fit the bill quite nicely. Mind you, so would a fully fit and healthy Jack Wilshere at the same age. Both players could play pretty much anywhere on the pitch, especially the little Spaniard. What he lacked in height he made up for in skill, speed, ability and passion. I digress….
Back in 2022, during an interview with the Daily Mail, he said:
My dream was to play more and more years [for Arsenal]. Of course I would like to come back. I have to wait if the club thinks about me, if I can help in something – as a coach or a sporting director. When I have the idea to retire, I will speak with Mikel or with someone in the club.
During that same interview he talked about how when he first arrived at Arsenal, he didn’t speak a word of English. Mikel Arteta was the guy to greet him and he soon became a very important man in Cazorla’s life. Over the next six years, the pair formed a close friendship with Cazorla saying Arteta was/is ‘One of the best friends I have in football.’ Their families became close too and when Nacho Monreal joined the club, they’d sit and watch Spanish football matches together.
Would he return to Arsenal if asked?
Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home. I love the club and the people, so we will see in the future.
Why not indeed…..
Catch up in the comments..
Good morning Rico.
Santi always struck me as a decent sort of bloke, unfortunately we need a coach who can instil a bit of street wise nous, and perhaps we need someone to put a bit of stick about in training. From the training pics on the club website it looks all a bit of a laugh, a bit too light hearted.
Little annoys me more than seeing a player laughing after missing a goal scoring chance, perhaps the knowledge that they may get the hairdryer treatment back in the dressing room, will help them to focus on their day job a bit more seriously.
Morning Cicero,
Keown it is then… 😂
On a serious note though, training has to be fun as well as serious because if players don’t enjoy it, they won’t perform. Arteta doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’ll put up with sloppiness, after all, we’d still have Auba and Ozil if he did.
Good call Rico! 😉
We missed a trick back in the Wenger days Cicero…
Morning Rico and all.
I like Santi, but is he what we need at a senior level i’m not sure, however I would back him for some roll at the academy.
At the moment I think it would be better to bring in the correct people to help guide / push and work with Arteta in the background that have no connection to the club, but are very good at there job and only want to see us win tropthies to bolster there own resume.
Yes IT’s nice too say our hearts are with the club and fans but thinking / making decision with your heart will not win tropthies.
Morning Geoff, I get what you’re saying..
Keown it is then.
I was looking for him when Lewis Skelly was getting the treatment but sadly he wasn’t there. I don’t mean an out and out smack in the ribs but just a gentle whisper that what goes around comes around.
I was surprised Gabriel didn’t get involved, he’s often straight on things like that..
Morning everyone. I agree Geoff, Santi would likely do well for us in the academy. I love to hear ex players refer to the club as “us” so if he was appointed there’s no doubt he’d be working for the badge before the paycheck.
Afternoon Kev, Berg.
Santa’s recovery was amazing really. Who else in the game had gotten over the type of injury he had? Bones, yes, tears, yes but a foot which was so bad it was nearly dead…
Honestly, I’d love to see him back at the club..
Afternoon Rico and Co.
Santi coming back is a nice thought, he might come across as a lovely guy but you don’t overcome a career threatening condition and continue to play top level football until you’re 40 if you aren’t driven. Arteta wouldn’t entertain giving a coaching role to a ‘mate’ unless he felt that his mate could contribute something so if Santi returns I think we should suck it and see?
Still no updates on Tomiyasu, White or Bakayo, getting them back in early Spring would be quite a boost, here’s hoping…
Had the grandchildren all day yesterday and I’m still recovering!
I don’t know where they get their energy from but it’s certainly not me.
Soares and Xhaka are doing their coaches badges together at the moment. Apparently, when Cedric asked Granit who would be first to get a job, Granit replied, “I wouldn’t listen to you” lol
Cazorla has been playing for Real Oviedo (2nd division).
He scored one goal, the only one, maybe two weeks ago.
Not that one again Cicero… 😜
We were after him in the summer but left it too late apparently hence the late deal for Neto.
Here’s a bit of news about a possible Arsenal signing, not a Saka replacement, not a central striker, not even a back four player. No, Arsenal are interested in 23-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but the La Liga club remain insistent that the Spaniard’s £25m release clause is paid.
On Garcia, It may be right as there was a recent article stating concerns of Neto’s quality.
David Ornstein suggested we were after him in the summer so there probably is some truth to it..
Think that Santi would be a positive influence on our Academy boys.
It’s obvious that he still thinks of us as ‘home’: you can go out and ‘buy’ that Outlook, but if it’s in the heart, then Santi’s made for a training role with us.
Once a gooner…
Welcome Hank. He still refers to the club as “we” too.. I think he’d be a great person to have around the club.
Good evening Rico and all
Great posts the last three Rico. Sorry I didn’t have time to write so had to catch up with them all just now. Yep, even the comments.
Cazorla?? Why not. You pointed out good things about his mindset…we, home etc. And playing in the position he used to play and still plays he sees the game in front of him. He might be handy to have around.
Mind you, not purely as a coach but as he pointed out, maybe a sporting director, maybe a youth coach. Whatever role I am sure he will do it with a smile and positivity. Which are important as much as individual skill.
Evening Devil, I’m sure Nwaneri would/could learn a lot from him. MLS too..
Thanks re the posts by the way.
Hi Kev. you’re still recovering from having your grandchildren eh??? that made me chuckle. Good thing I still exercise and jog. When my time comes I dont want to get out breath lol.
With the Chelsea result tonight we really need the 3 points against Brentford and then in the words of the Bard , stolen by Conan Doyle ” The games afoot “
Hi Devil, it was fun.
Dani Olmo on loan is still a go’er if we’re interested as Barcelona failed for a 2nd time to get him registered with LaLiga. He’s a goal scorer and that might just come in handy for a few months at least.
I hope we don’t faff about until deadline day and get some business done nice n early – for a change…
We need the three points every game 😜
Said the same yesterday Kev, if we’re signing someone, get the deal done on New Years Day. No po8ntbin waiting until the 3rd February as it could be too late. City, PSG, Utd and us are interested in Olmo apparently. Doubt he’d want Utd though…
Joan Garcia was a disaster in Espanyol’s last game.
Most keepers have an off day every now and then Jm.
Dani Olmo becomes a free agent at midnight tonight. He can then leave Barcelona for free. There would, however, be a significant signing on fee and a high wage to be negotiated.
It has been reported that Man U agreed a £100 million transfer fee for the player but that no longer applies as Barcelona failed to register him.
A six month loan may be attractive to him as he could then return to Barcelona in the summer if he so wished.
I doubt he’d go to Utd, who’d want to these days? I read it’s between us, City and PSG. I like your idea of a 6 month loan Cicero.
Morning to you, all.
New post up.