A Love Letter to Santi Cazorla

He loved the fans, and the fans loved him in return: Here's Nick Manfredi on Santi Cazorla 

Many of you will have seen or heard about our former maestro, Santi Cazorla helping Real Oviedo back to La Liga after 24 years at the ripe old age of 40.

Cazorla’s story is one of true grit and determination, the kind of heartwarming story we rarely see in football or life in general.

Cazorla was an Arsenal player for six years although you will remember he was unable to play for the best part of his final two seasons in N5 due to that serious injury which we’ll come onto a bit later. signed by Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2012 from Malaga for around £10 million, Santi immediately became a huge hit with the Ashburton Grove faithful. Known for his diminutive style and his remarkable ambidextrousness, Cazorla set stadiums alight with his performances. He brought goals, assists and joy to all who watched him play. He was very much in the “I’d pay to watch him train” category.

With the exception of Lionel Messi, I don’t think I have ever seen a player who was more two footed than Cazorla.

Certainly not at The Arsenal.

There are many players who are very strong on both feet but in Cazorla’s case, the notion of a weaker foot didn’t exist for him. Although he did once mention in an interview, he slightly favoured his right foot, anyone who watched him will tell you that it was impossible to tell what side his “weaker foot” was.

There is a clip of a game away at Watford, not long before his injury, where Cazorla was getting ready to take a corner with his right foot. He then received a signal from the bench, put his hands up to acknowledge it, then switched over to take the corner with his left foot. I’ve not seen anything like it before or since.

I was right behind his free kick in the FA Cup Final against Hull and as soon as he hit it, it was obvious it was going in the top corner. That remains one of the best free kicks I have ever seen. to do that in a cup final was quite something.

It was during a Champions League game against Ludogorets in which Cazorla suffered his initial achilles injury.

At first it appeared he would be out for a while, perhaps a few months but nothing out of the ordinary. However, he soon developed gangrene, which was eating away at part of the tendon. This was becoming far more serious than your usual achilles injury. In fact, Santi was told by a doctor that he may not even walk again let alone play football. His countless operations kept prolonging his absence as weeks turned into months turned into years.

Following his contact expiring in June 2018, over 18 months since his initial injury, it was announced Santi would sadly be leaving Arsenal.

Against all odds, Cazorla did indeed play again. After his release from Arsenal, he returned to one of his former sides, Villareal where he enjoyed two fruitful seasons back in his native Spain.

He then made a surprise switch to Qatari outfit, Al-Sadd where he played under legendary midfielder, Xavi who had of course been Cazorla’s teammate for the national side. Unsurprisingly, Santi shone in the Middle East where he spent three seasons, winning six trophies.

Then, in 2023 Cazorla returned to his original club, Real Oviedo. He agreed to join on the minimum salary allowed which is 91 thousand euros for the whole season. Not bad for minimum wage!

He helped them to the promotion playoff final where he scored a penalty in the second leg against Mirandes as he helped secure Oviedo’s place in La Liga for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.

Cazorla was adored by fans everywhere he played.to this day, his name is still sometimes sung on the terraces.  

He always had a smile on his face, and it was clear he loved the game and certainly at Arsenal he embraced our core values and traditions.

He loved the fans, and the fans loved him in return. In addition to being an exceptional footballer he is an admirable figure who went through a horrific ordeal but defied the odds to get back to doing what he loves.

It would be wonderful if he were to return to Arsenal in some capacity someday, perhaps on the coaching staff?

Who knows, but if not, he will always be welcome in N5 for a visit.

Previous articles by exciting new Arsenal writer Nick Manfredi:

Arsenal 2025-26 Premier League fixtures analysed

Martin Odegaard: Here's to a better 2025-26 for the Arsenal captain

All Hail Declan Rice: Arsenal's midfield genius

Arsenal's new red and white home kit: Lighten my wallet now

Feel the positivity under Arteta after Rice's superb stunner steers Arsenal to the Champions League