After Arsenal’s thumping 6-0 win over Ludogorets last midweek, where the Gunners looked next to unstoppable, Arsenal quickly got a reality check when they faced Middlesbrough at the weekend when they were lucky to snatch a point.
While many pointed out the absence of Olivier Giroud up front, who could have been lethal from Arsenal’s set pieces due to his towering height, one player they actually missed was the diminutive anchor in their midfield, Santi Cazorla. Owing to a minor Achilles tendon injury, Wenger had to sit out him in the match and suddenly Arsenal’s brilliant free-flowing football have seemingly taken a blow.
The Spaniard has evolved brilliantly under Arsene Wenger and his technique has been a huge plus for the team. He joined Arsenal in the season of 2012-13 when he had to play much up front due to the departure of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song.
Although he was pretty effective there scoring 12 times and getting 11 assists that season in 37 appearances, his brilliance came to the fore when he dropped back in the anchor role with Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey up front and Walcott, Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wings, from where the deep lying midfielder could easily pull strings at will. Of course, his goal scoring has diminished, but his ability to play the passes and create has caught eyes of many.
Arsenal may seem too reliant on Cazorla at the moment but that is because of the absence of Xhaka and Ramsey. They are surely missing their little magician but if Wenger has to find a way to turn this weakness into an attack, he has to stop starting with two box to box midfielders in Coquelin and Elneny although he doesn’t seem to have much of an option for the next game.
What Cazorla lacks is defensive attributes, which makes Coquelin an ideal partner in the midfield. Arsenal have deep lying midfielders Granit Xhaka and Elneny, who are similar to Cazorla, but what makes the Spaniard strong is his innate ability to give impeccable through balls. It is what Arsenal have missed against Boro.
It seems Arsenal have to continue suffering for the next few matches in the league unless Xhaka and Ramsey return from their suspension and injury respectively.
English Premier League, which is known to be friendly towards heavy built athletes, has surprisingly found a suitor in Cazorla. The 168 cm player who weighs just 66 kgs has scored 29 goals and 45 assists in 180 appearances in an exhaustive league, which speaks much about his skills.
Cazorla already has 2 goals and 3 assists this season and if his injury is serious, Wenger is expected not to play him this weekend too.
