Many weren't overly familiar with the true quality of Arsenal's diminutive star signing in the 2012 summer transfer window. Cheekily, even the manager claimed he wasn't. But shortly after Santi Cazorla arrived in North London his class was immediately apparent. It took no time whatsoever for the little Spaniard to click with Arsene Wenger's footballing philosophy, while it took supporters quite a bit longer to figure out just which was his favored foot.
Cazorla's capture represented a kind of return to the Arsenal manager's early transfer style, that of finding technically gifted players who, for one reason or another, were misfits at their clubs. In this case he swooped when Malaga were in desperate need of cash. The move was also consistent with the recent shift to bring in players entering their peaks, with the experience and maturity the side lacked for several years.
The rapid proof of Santi's abilities confirmed just what a bargain Wenger had secured, and he filled the void left by previous departures of the minority of players Arsenal could claim as world class. He took to the Premier League like a duck to water, and on his third league match, a trip to Anfield, he registered both his first assist and his first goal.
In the early going Cazorla demonstrated the wide array of his talents: immaculate first touch, close control under pressure, the ability to spot a pass, and shooting from distance. All with either foot. It was mooted that he was the first player Wenger bought in recent years who could arguably compare to Dennis Bergkamp, or that he was the true replacement for Cesc Fabregas.
That technical quality and creative approach to Santi's game recalls that feeling of Wenger's best sides, that knowledge that on any given day the support could expect to see at least one breath-taking moment of skill. There were several instances of the little magician making a brilliant pass, wriggling out of pressure with sometimes a series of devastating feints, or bringing the ball down from the air with consummate ease, cushioning it instantly.*
Cazorla's early season promise was confirmed with a string of fine performances, but in his first North London derby he put in a masterclass. The tiny Spaniard pulled the strings for Arsenal that day and his influence on the match was immense.First, Adebayor got himself sent off for a foolish and dangerous tackle on the midfielder. He set up the third goal by incredibly continuing despite being felled at the top of the area, recovering to set up Giroud. Then he scored the fourth himself in what would become our second successive demolition derby with our hated neighbors.
In the midst of that performance, there was one example of that incredible control and first touch that stood out. A cleared header dropped from high in the air in the center circle, and as it came down Cazorla found himself rapidly closed down by Sandro and Thomas Carroll. With a flick of his right boot he pillowed the ball, cut it back between the two, swiveled, and chipped the ball forward into space for Theo.
Nothing came of that move. The goal and assist from that match made it into the statistical record, but this moment epitomizes what makes him so special---technique paired with tenacity, along with a creative flair for playing the game. He enjoys the game. Santi Cazorla, what a footballer.
*Have a gander at this from @CulannDavies [apologies, clip has been removed. Give Culann a follow for some truly splendid compilations]
Follow @11cannons
No comments:
Post a Comment