Santi Cazorla is back at boyhood club Real Oviedo and has his sights set on returning them to LaLiga. Courtesy of Real OviedoOVIEDO Spain -- Through the smoke is a familiar face doing a familiar thing and a bus pulls out from the Monumental Naranco hotel where blue banners hang from the facade and hundreds of football fans wait outside although He probably can't see anything through the clouds of blue and red The bus turns at the roundabout and edges up Alejandro Casona Street Thousands of supporters of Real Oviedo are lined up along the route their hands hammering on the side of the bus as it passes slowly through the parting sea on a short journey to the stadium which on this night is a little longer and a lot louder "I've never seen anything like this in my life," he says Another Oviedo fan is inside there with them except that he's not sitting and definitely not sitting still; he's kneeling clambering over the seat to get a good look even though it still won't be quite the way it was supposed to be but there in the back window you can just about make him out Santi Cazorla is laughing his head off Santi Cazorla is always laughing his head off trying to pour cider from a great height -- although above his head is not that great a height -- into a glass held below his waist one the experts are offering a lesson in now that green mountainous land in northern Spain the principality that they like to say is Spain while the rest is conquered territory Santi Cazorla tries his hand at an Asturias tradition, escanciar, a delicate act of pouring cider. Courtesy of Real OviedoIt is Thursday, exactly 48 hours before the Asturias derby against Sporting Gijón a game right up among the best in the country even though these days it is played in the second division is here because it is a club event and they asked him to be and he is always there when they ask him to be: Santi It is hard to express how much of an icon he is here and this whole ambassador thing can exhaust though Cazorla says "it doesn't tire me at all." They have asked him to be there on Saturday for the derby too He hasn't trained with his teammates this morning and he won't tomorrow morning either he is in the gym at the Requexón training ground wet country lane that couldn't be more Asturias if it tried they want him close and although no one knows this yet To get everyone else excited; him just being there changes things the last year since he came to the club has shown that he's desperate to be at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere the match he most aspired to experience and one he played at junior level an opportunity he feared he would never have And making only one demand: that 10% of the money made on "Cazorla 8" shirts goes direct to the youth academy "the basis of everything." Kids like him shouldn't have to leave next time sometimes feels like it was not paid back in full; maybe even that the game owes him something and instead dealt him a horrific injury "I have a clear conscience in that sense," he says "Wherever I have been have been places that they really I was close to going to Madrid but maybe they didn't transmit to me that they really wanted me I can't recriminate myself for any decision I made I have been where I thought they wanted me where I felt the affection I need to play football." There's something about this place: it was the third time that an Oviedo academy product forced by the club's crisis to seek a top-flight career elsewhere had returned; not to better times but to worse In returning like they did, that affection has become universal, too. At every ground, Cazorla is applauded -- well, except Gijón and, no, he would't expect that either, although it turns out that when Sporting's Guille Rosas was a kid he waited for Cazorla to sign a Spain shirt for him one day "I don't know why there's so much affection; I supposed because I played in the best generation Spain's had," Cazorla says "And maybe people appreciate that I'm still playing football and in my city the fact that I went home: not many people do it Santi Cazorla acknowledges fans lining the streets ahead of Real Oviedo's derby match against Sporting Gijón. Courtesy of Sid Lowe / ESPN"It was a decision of the heart but there are rules that have to be respected and in the end the club has to pay me a minimum salary It's my home and I came here to contribute it's something that I felt ever since I left: that I had to return to my club and I am not asking for anything in return." His son Enzo always told him he wanted to see his dad play in blue According to the club's sporting director Agustin Lleida "We knew Santi wanted to come home. We had arranged a video call and that weekend I was trying to work out his salary in Qatar, what we could offer him, what options we had," Lleida told La Nueva España But I felt bad looking at what he was earning there because of how little we could offer him but ...' and he said: 'I don't want anything Cazorla says: "It was a dream to play in this shirt: I was wearing it at 9 years old in the academy but circumstance meant I had to leave very young But coming back was always there in my mind getting the chance to wear it as a professional." Oviedo were a first-division team when Cazorla was a ballboy but were relegated in 2001 and kept on falling In 2003 they were relegated two categories at once which is actually the fourth tier and has seventeen divisions and almost 350 teams often playing on little better than park pitches A financial crisis forced Cazorla out the door and almost brought down the shutters forever With local politicians pushing for a winding-up order and putting their weight behind an alternative Another crisis almost put them out of business again in 2012 and A share issue saved them: the club have 45,000 shareholders around the world a symbol of where they should have been and a figurehead of the campaign along with two other academy products The passion the fans have for the Asturias derby is unique in world football. Courtesy of Sid Lowe / ESPNThe club were still in Spain's semi-professional third tier As a measure of how far they had fallen: they played an Asturias derby .. Oviedo are a club growing fast: there is stability "The club's in a very good state," Cazorla says. "Pachuca want to do things the right way reach primera and hopefully the sort of heights they're used to We're taking good steps forward all working together "It has felt hard to be a fan watching from a distance at times we went down to tercera for administrative reasons we were able to get together and save what was left of the club Eventually I've been able to wear this shirt being able to help the club after it came close to disappearing altogether." no one knew how good Cazorla really was when he came back Sign up for ESPN+ Cazorla came on a mission: to help take Oviedo back to the first division a quarter of a century later With him at the heart of their midfield last season they reached the playoff final for promotion to primera "Some people seem to be trying to retire me Calleja names his squad and Cazorla is in it a million variations of Santiiiii and Cazoooorla "He won't feel his foot but he will feel the shirt," one says ON CAZORLA'S ARM is half a tattoo. On his ankle is the other half, a symbol of his suffering: the skin cut from one place and grafted onto another. His daughter India's name in two bits, a constant reminder of the injury that almost ended his career. That maybe even should have ended it He didn't play for 636 days; he might not have played again and many he was told he should settle for being able to walk around the garden "What really hurts is when I don't play," he says "That's always been the case: not playing is the painful part I've had some complex injuries in the past I've built up quite a lot of experience dealing with injury and that makes you stronger I'm better at getting through it than I was And the current one is only a short setback In that situation I try to help from the sidelines." And so there he is in the back window of the bus through the flares and the smoke and the noise beaming through the last interview not long before kickoff "You can feel the excitement of the people; I feel it too He also tells them he's available if needs be and maybe he even means it past the figurine of the Virgin of Covadgona Real Oviedo fans honour their side with a tifo ahead of the Asturias derby against Sporting Gijón Courtesy of Sid Lowe / ESPN"This is not any game," he tells his teammates "We know what this means; we're playing for a feeling: ours who has the experience and calm the game needed," Calleja says "But I can't ask more in terms of the heart everyone showed And if there's one thing that's first division only goal difference keeps Oviedo from the playoff places Promotion would be the greatest ambition of all but this is different; coming home and doing something the club waited so long for would be very special." Of course I hope to play in the first division with the club of my life But whether or not I get there doesn't matter; what matters is that Real Oviedo do." “I was really looking forward to going back,” Santi Cazorla tells The Athletic The 40-year-old midfielder was referring to being at the Emirates for Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town last month his first return to the stadium since leaving in 2018 after scoring 29 goals and providing 44 assists over five seasons with the north London club In the seven years since — spent at Villarreal, Al Sadd in Qatar and, for the past two campaigns, back at his boyhood club Real Oviedo in the Spanish second division — Cazorla had kept in close touch with his former team-mate and now Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta “I’d spoken with Arteta various times but for circumstances and calendars whose name was sung by Arsenal fans as he sat at the Emirates with his wife Ursula and 10-year-old son Enzo “I’m eternally grateful to Arsenal for the love they show me all the time Arsenal fans stop me and thank me for what I did for that club.” Cazorla told The Athletic previously about his sadness at having to leave Arsenal, following eight different operations on an Achilles injury first suffered in October 2016. There were also happier times, including winning the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015 and two Community Shield trophies with an extremely talkative Arteta alongside him in midfield “Playing with Mikel was like sharing the pitch with a future coach,” Cazorla says and from there you bring balance to the team and I’m proud and happy to see him as the ideal coach for Arsenal.” Over a storied career, Cazorla has shared a dressing room with many other midfielders who have since become managers — Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Enzo Maresca and Xavi — and he has previously said he and Arteta have discussed the possibility of him joining Arsenal’s staff. But prolonging his playing career means he has not completed his coaching badges yet “Mikel asked me the other day if I’d done my coaching course Xavi once told me he hadn’t wanted to be a coach but when he did the course something woke inside him.” Xavi was Cazorla’s coach at Al Sadd from summer 2020 to November 2021 and he noticed how the move from player to coach impacted his friend’s personality You’ll realise later if you want to do it yourself to be able to manage a group of players’.” “They were unfair with him and he’s suffered a lot He wants to rest now and spend time with his family “Many people have always said that football is about being physical,” Cazorla says “But there have always been great players who were not the biggest or strongest but understand football better than everyone else and know the best thing to do at every moment.” Such analysis sounds like it is coming from a potential future sporting director — and Arsenal are looking to fill that position with another former Arsenal player Edu having left last November Cazorla says coaching might suit him better “That leans towards the sporting director side but I don’t think I could stay in an office I’ve always loved being out on the pitch and in the dressing room I’m still just thinking as a footballer at the moment.” That’s a reminder Cazorla still has more playing to do before he hangs up his boots was in my mind for a long time,” Cazorla says He was seven when his local team Real Oviedo played their only ever season in the UEFA Cup, now the Europa League He was then an academy player and ballboy at top-flight games at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere the club’s financial and institutional problems mounted they could not even afford to offer him a professional contract so he left at 18 for Villarreal without having played for the first team when an international fundraising campaign led by Guardian journalist Sid Lowe raised the €2million (£1.7m/$2.1m) required to save it Among those to contribute were former Oviedo youth team players Juan Mata GO DEEPER Michu - Swansea's 'student' who made the Premier League sit up and take notice put in their grain of salt so the club could continue to exist,” Cazorla says You see all the people who love Oviedo — here in Asturias (the northwestern region of Spain where Oviedo is located) Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim also contributed significantly to stabilising the club’s finances, and the team returned to the second division in 2015. Mexico’s Grupo Pachuca took a controlling 51 per cent stake in 2022 leaving Slim’s Grupo Carso with 20 per cent and almost 40,000 individual shareholders at home and abroad with 29 per cent between them He says Oviedo made him a hefty salary offer but he asked for the minimum contract allowed under La Liga rules (€90,000 a year) Ten per cent of all proceeds from jerseys bearing his name also goes to help fund the club’s youth system I’ve had a successful career so the last thing I wanted was to be a weight on my club,” Cazorla says “I’m delighted with these conditions — I’d play for free In his first season back, Cazorla played 26 games in all competitions, providing four assists, but niggling injuries hampered his contribution. He was not available as Oviedo missed out on promotion by losing a two-legged play-off final to Espanyol a new tactical setup has allowed the veteran to make some vital contributions including two assists in a dramatic 3-2 win over current league leaders Almeria in October rest and working daily with physios and recovery specialists so since I was a kid I’ve always had to think a bit faster look for spaces where opponents cannot pressure you.” Being just as good with either foot — which is rare at the top level — remains an advantage for finding space in crowded areas GO DEEPER The two-footed enigmas: Why are so few players equally good with both feet? It means I don’t have to change body position to receive the ball or take a touch to get the ball onto my better foot Winning those extra few more seconds is such a great advantage in football.” a new Cazorla is continuing the family trade his dream is to be a player,” his proud dad says Cazorla’s talent and competitive personality took him to great heights. Helping Oviedo back to the Spanish top flight after such a long time away would eclipse even those FA Cups with Arsenal and European Championships with Spain “I still enjoy myself a lot on the pitch,” he adds Getting promoted would surpass everything else in my career for the feeling I’ve had in my heart since I was a kid “It’d be the most beautiful trophy I could receive.” (Top photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Dermot joined The Athletic in 2020 and has been our main La Liga Correspondent up until now. Irish-born, he has spent more than a decade living in Madrid and writing about Spanish football for ESPN, the UK Independent and the Irish Examiner. Follow Dermot on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Roshn Saudi League side Al Orobah announced the appointment of Spanish coach Antonio Cazorla as new head coach until the end of the 2024-25 season The 59-year-old returns for a second spell as an interim coach in the RSL having previously took charge of Al Ettifaq for the last 12 games of the 2022-23 season three draws and four defeats as they ended that campaign in seventh place who returned to the top division this season after a decade with Cazorla’s tenure starting with tricky trip to the capital to face Al Riyadh on Thursday Initiative to celebrate local identity and fan passion Nigerian netted 3 winners in past 5 RSL games Jaissle's men defeat Al Hilal 3-1 in all-RSL semi-final Jeddah club see off Al Hilal in all-RSL semi-final Jeddah club lift first AFC Champions League crown Jeddah side 3rd RSL club to win AFC Champions League Personalised content based on your preferences While the Frenchman generally leaned towards more technical players rather than those who boasted greater athleticism in his latter seasons at the Emirates he still ensured he had the requisite pace to damage opposition teams Walcott was known for his electric speed with the English winger’s ability to run in behind a frightening proposition for defenders to play against in his heyday However, Cazorla was convinced that there was a quicker player in Arsenal’s squad at the time For all of Arsenal’s pretty passing patterns under Wenger they still needed a runner who could break the game open and be the player to receive a cute pass from one of the team’s technicians with one of the midfielders regularly feeding the former Southampton player in behind after he’d made a quick diagonal dart However, as the wide forward aged, Hector Bellerin became the overlapping speed freak in Arsenal’s team from right-back Bellerin was described as a ‘jet-heeled marauder’ back in 2019 with his ability to produce a rip-roaring run beyond his opposition full-back incredibly effective Speaking in an interview with Soccer AM in 2016 He’s a little bit faster than me [laughs].” with his burst past three Bayern Munich players to cut back for Ozil in 2015 a standout moment that displayed this quality he lost some of that pace after his tragic ACL injury in the 2018/19 season and was never truly able to recover it While Arsenal were blessed with some quick players they were also arguably hindered by possessing some of the slower defenders you’ll see grace a Premier League pitch The likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Per Mertesacker struggled with acceleration but Cazorla named a different player when asked who the slowest player at Arsenal was in 2016 we did a test last season and I was the most slow guy in the team.” although the majestic playmaker didn’t require pace to be an elite midfielder quick feet and supreme technical ability meant he could manipulate his way out of all sorts of difficult situations one of Arsenal’s most beloved midfielders and a two-time European Championship winner with Spain has revealed the three moments that stand out most in his illustrious career Speaking in an interview with Marca while sidelined with a calf injury the Real Oviedo captain reflected on the journey that has defined him as a player and a person which he now captains in Spain’s Segunda División the dream of leading Oviedo to La Liga outweighs all other achievements “Getting promoted to La Liga with Oviedo would be the most important trophy of my career,” he said fighting for promotion because that’s the ultimate goal.” Cazorla has been out of action since December due to a left calf injury which interrupted a season where he had been a critical figure for manager Javi Calleja contributing a goal and four assists in 19 appearances Calleja stressed the need for caution in managing the veteran midfielder’s recovery noting that Cazorla will return only when he is fully fit Cazorla’s memories are far richer than his recent frustrations When asked to name the three highlights of his career That moment marked the start of his journey to winning two European Championships as part of one of football’s greatest international teams His second highlight was deeply personal: returning to professional football with Villarreal in 2018 after a two-year battle with a career-threatening Achilles injury which led to eight surgeries and a dire prognosis that nearly resulted in the amputation of his foot Doctors doubted whether he would ever walk again capped by his sublime performances that season remains one of modern football’s most inspiring comebacks Cazorla pointed to his return to Real Oviedo in 2023 a poetic full-circle moment for a player who began his journey at the Asturian club’s academy “The important thing is that the team gets promoted hoping they can achieve their ambition of returning to the top flight for the first time since 2001 Cazorla’s love for Arsenal also shines brightly in his career legacy providing a crucial goal in the 2014 final against Hull City and vision made him a favourite among fans while his humility and joyful personality cemented his status as an Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla made his long-awaited return to Emirates Stadium for Friday’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town He popped into the Live From N5 studio before the match to talk about his bond with Arsenal supporters “They helped me a lot from the beginning when I arrived,” he said 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.” Santi gave us some words for encouragement in the title race I know it’s difficult for them to beat Man City last year “Keep going and I hope Arsenal can win this league.” Santi played alongside Mikel Arteta and it came as no surprise to him to see Mikel become our head coach and manager “I remember when I was with him to watch the games together and he’d stop the game to talk about tactics “I think we’re lucky because I think he’s one of the best coaches in the world already.” Copyright 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Limited Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source MEN WOMEN ACADEMY CLUB Everything you need to know about our 24/25 European campaign MEN WOMEN ACADEMY ALL MEN WOMEN UNDER-21 UNDER-18 Explore our Help Centre for answers to common questions For all other enquiries please use our New Enquiry form Website feedback? Fill in our form Report abuse and discrimination here Check out our exclusive Wallpapers for desktop and mobile today MEN WOMEN ACADEMY US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account Published: Invalid Date Santi Cazorla has revealed a possible return to Arsenal as an assistant coach following his retirement The 40-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Spanish second division team Real Oviedo a team he rejoined asking only to earn ‘minimum salary’ He joined Oviedo at eight and formed an unbreakable bond with the club which lasted through his many years at Villarreal and Arsenal Cazorla joined the Gunners in 2012 and soon became a fan favourite, picking up the man of the match award on his debut against Sunderland Another fond memory was his hat-trick in their 5-2 win over Reading in December 2012 Through six years he had crucial performances which led Arsenal to two FA Cups and two Community Shields A lovely sight for gooners during the La Liga winter break which began the weekend of the 21st Before kick-off Cazorla was interviewed pitchside Speaking on Arteta he said: “He’s doing an amazing job. I think it’s difficult to fight last year with Man City and this year with Liverpool but they have to keep on going. I believe in them.  When asked if he would consider a return to the Emirates “I don't know [what role I would have] I would have to think about that but something in football for sure He later watched on as Kai Havertz netted to secure a 1-0 victory to push Arsenal into second above Chelsea As an assistant manager he may be able to inspire a creative and flowing midfield something Arteta has struggled to implement They have often looked rigid and struggled to break open teams willing to sit deep as shown by their draws to Everton and Fulham Arsenal were dealt a massive setback as Bukayo Saka had a surgery that would rule him out for months following his hamstring injury against Crystal Palace The winger was having a great season with 22 goals involved Arsenal fans would love a player with Cazorla’s creative abilities to rescue their season The Spaniard played 180 times in red and white any player of his ability able to boost the Gunners to a league title would become a club legend Cazorla Named to Spain’s Olympic Roster07/09/24 | Women's Basketball Maite is headed to her second straight Olympic Games with @BaloncestoESP ???? #GoDucks x @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/1NjDkcoFMI The TimesSanti Cazorla has dreamt for the best part of four decades for a night like Saturday: an Asturian derby with him wearing the first-team jersey of the home team peering out of the back window of the team bus as it approached the Carlos Tartiere Stadium face illuminated by the brilliant pink of exploding fireworks Cazorla came closer than ever to full participation in his favourite home fixture recovered from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw There would be no risks taken on his full recovery No one doubted the winger’s incredible talent but his flamboyant and explosive personality left Gunners fans frustrated with how the player came across on the pitch Regularly throwing tantrums, famously throwing his gloves on the ground after a draw away at Bournemouth, Sanchez eventually departed for Manchester United, which certainly rubbed Arsenal fans up the wrong way That said, the Chilean’s exceptional three-and-a-half-year stint at the Emirates was memorable and largely enjoyable for the North London faithful in terms of what he actually produced as a footballer Sanchez scored 80 goals in just 166 appearances for Arsenal, leading Arsene Wenger’s side to FA Cup successes in both 2015 and 2017 his petulant antics meant the club’s supporters never truly warmed to the player Wenger had a ‘love-hate’ relationship with Sanchez with the French boss full of admiration for the star’s work rate but frustrated by his irritability Speaking in an interview with Soccer AM in 2016, Sanchez’ teammate Santi Cazorla revealed that the Chile international hated attending team meetings and partaking in video analysis sessions when asked who the biggest moaner in the Arsenal squad was at the time But I say to him we need [meetings] and he goes he says it’s boring and that he doesn’t like that.” It’s certainly not a surprise that Sanchez wasn’t a fan of sitting in a room and partaking in administrative activities at the training ground However, while he may have caused issues in meetings, he was an exceptionally impressive trainer, with Rob Holding revealing that Sanchez would randomly do push-ups midway through training sessions Cazorla clearly didn’t want to defame Sanchez’s character with his light-hearted jibe about the player’s inability to sit still in team meetings Earlier in the same interview with Soccer AM the midfield magician waxed lyrical about the ex-Barcelona man’s persistent work rate on the training field “The best trainer at Arsenal is Alexis Sanchez because he always wants to train more ‘Already?’ But he’s a great professional.” As shown by his staggering goal and assist output throughout his time at Arsenal Sanchez’ hard work in training clearly paid off “Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home,” Cazorla said This isn’t the first time Cazorla has spoken on the subject and he previously admitted he’d even held talks over a potential comeback to Arsenal “We had conversations about that [returning] but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club, Oviedo, and continuing to enjoy football as a player,” Cazorla said over the summer. Now 40 years old, Cazorla remains in action with Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier. But he’s not just playing a token role, starting in 16 of his 19 league appearances this season, scoring one goal and assisting four. Oviedo are in the hunt for promotion, currently sitting in a play-off spot and just four points off the top of the table. Cazorla is a big part of that as their captain. Cazorla spent six seasons with Arsenal as a younger player, making 180 appearances and directly contributing to 73 goals. The midfielder won two FA Cups with the Gunners and was present at the club for a third, though injury denied him any role in the competition that season. He also played in two Community Shield victories. It was great to have him back on Friday, and Arsenal fans would surely welcome another return in the future. Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - The curtain came down on the EuroLeague Women First Round and there were plenty of ballers who lit it up on the last game day of the first phase You have the opportunity to determine who collects Player of the Week honors by voting for your MVP in the fan poll below Emma Meesseman showed her quality as usual in Fenerbahce Opet colors as they breezed past KGHM BC Polkowice 90-61 The forward showed her full range of skills with an excellent 13 points That helped her to accumulate the highest performance efficiency valuation of the week at 28 ZVVZ USK Praha collected a vibrant 100-85 home victory against Umana Reyer Venezia, despite the best efforts of the impressive Dragana Stankovic for the visitors The Serbian was on fire and shot 89 percent from the field en-route to 18 points and also weighed in with 8 boards But the Spanish one-two punch of Maria Conde and Maite Cazorla got it done for Praha Wrapping up a Spanish-centric lineup, Maria Araujo was the best performer for the unbeaten CBK Mersin as they eased past Olympiacos 87-58 The forward enjoyed a perfect shooting night as she netted 14 points and also added 6 assists — Former Duck Maite Cazorla has been named to Spain’s women’s basketball squad that will head to the Summer Olympics in Paris Cazorla played for the Ducks from 2015 to 2019 and started at guard for Oregon in their Final Four appearance against Baylor in 2019 Cazorla was part of the Spanish team during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 that reached the quarterfinals In the last few years, voice actors have well and truly become the celebs of the gaming world, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is capitalising on it The first game from French studio Sandfall Interactive has a star-studded cast including some of the biggest names in gaming and some pretty major film and TV stars too if you’re wondering who voices whom in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 we’ve got the full cast list for you to check out Here is a list of all the main voice actors in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 We spoke to Ben Starr and Jennifer English about the game and you can see the interview in video form above Some of the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast are perhaps more well-known than others you’ll almost certainly recognise some of their work English actor Charlie Cox takes on the role of Expedition 33 leader Gustave These days, you probably know him best as Matt Murdock, or his alias, Daredevil He’s also had some smaller roles in TV’s Kin and in Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything The first of our gaming royalty, Jennifer English takes on the role of smart-talking teenage expeditioner Maelle Though she has lent her voice to games for many years now, her big break came as Latenna in Elden Ring She would later, however, shoot to true stardom after voicing Shadowheart in Larian Studios’ tremendously successful Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023 Taking on the role of mysterious stranger Verso is another voice acting star(r) – Ben Starr After some minor roles in TV shows like Jamestown his gaming break came in 2023 when he voiced Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16 you’re more likely to see him wearing a jester’s hat and a full face of makeup as Jimbo Playing the expedition’s resident scholar and mage After her first major role on children’s TV show Space Pirates in 2008 she went on to have minor roles in various series such as Call the Midwife and The Sandman The upbeat farmer-turned-expeditioner Sciel is voiced by Shala Nyx Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and many more she’s featured in TV series such as Casualty is perhaps the most famous member of the Clair Obscur cast He is undoubtedly best known for being the man behind Gollum from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series Caesar in the Planet of the Apes series and even Snoke in Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi Playing the scholarly Gestral Monoco is actor Rich Keeble Keeble’s deep voice lends itself pretty nicely to many characters with the veteran actor taking on roles in Split Fiction The Change and Meet the Richardsons among others Not only does he voice the enigmatic Esquie but he also provides the motion capture for Ben Starr’s character He is perhaps the least well-known of the cast especially for those of us from outside his home country of France acting in films like Instructions for a Living and the upcoming Stereo Crashers as well as a host of short films and stage appearances Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast – All voice actors and where you know them fromNo Obscur names here Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesEnglish actor Charlie Cox takes on the role of Expedition 33 leader Gustave These days, you probably know him best as Matt Murdock, or his alias, Daredevil Jennifer English voices Maelle. Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for ReedPopThe first of our gaming royalty, Jennifer English takes on the role of smart-talking teenage expeditioner Maelle Though she has lent her voice to games for many years now, her big break came as Latenna in Elden Ring She would later, however, shoot to true stardom after voicing Shadowheart in Larian Studios’ tremendously successful Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023 Ben Starr voices Verso. Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTATaking on the role of mysterious stranger Verso is another voice acting star(r) – Ben Starr Sign up for our gaming newsletter to receive the latest insights By entering your details you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesPlaying the expedition’s resident scholar and mage Image via Shala NyxThe upbeat farmer-turned-expeditioner Sciel is voiced by Shala Nyx Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImageAndy Serkis He is undoubtedly best known for being the man behind Gollum from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series Image via Rich KeeblePlaying the scholarly Gestral Monoco is actor Rich Keeble Image via Maxence CazorlaMaxence Cazorla is a man of many talents you are agreeing to site title privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Holiday brochuresNeed inspiration of where to go next Request a free brochure and start your journey The German became Arsenal’s record signing when Arsene Wenger brought him to the Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2013 Cazorla arrived at Arsenal a year earlier but both players shared an exceptional relationship with each other on and off the pitch Cazorla has shown Ozil some love after seeing the latter share his memories about playing for Arsenal Ozil’s time at Arsenal was an eventful one The former Germany international joined the club when they were on a trophy drought but he ended that in his very first season He won two more under Wenger and played one game in Mikel Arteta’s run to win the FA Cup in his first season as Arsenal’s head coach but he is still very fondly remembered by many sections of the Arsenal fan base for everything he did for the club The 36-year-old has a lot of love for Arsenal too and the montage he has released on his social channels proves his affection for the Gunners In a five-slide video, Ozil says: “A new home: Arriving in London and signing for Arsenal marked the beginning of a new journey – one filled with passion, expectation and the challenge of Premier League football every chance created and every moment on the pitch was about elevating my team and bringing magic to English football “Glory in Red and White: Lifting my first trophy at Wembley in an Arsenal shirt was an unforgettable moment – one that fueled my hunger for even more success in the Premier League “Rising to the occasion: From intense Premier League battles to unforgettable European nights I embraced every challenge and gave my all for the club and the city every memory and the connection with Arsenal fans across London and beyond became a part of my story – one that will stay with me forever!” A new home, a new challenge stepping onto the pitch in red and white, I was ready to create, inspire, and make a difference. Every touch, every chance created was a step toward something greater. Lifting trophies, battling on the biggest stages, and feeling the love from the… pic.twitter.com/2mmIbDF8KI Ozil divided opinion during his time at Arsenal but the one thing nobody can deny was the fact that he was an exceptional attacking midfielder Every player at Arsenal knew how good he was, including Cazorla Reacting to Ozil’s post about his time at Arsenal on Instagram Former Arsenal stars Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna also showed Ozil some love while the club’s chief photographer Stuart McFarlane commented: “Was lovely having you with us!” leaves door open for comebackCésar SuárezSanti Cazorla leaves the door open for a comebackLaLigaSanti Cazorla who at the age of 40 is still driving the promotion hopes of Segunda Division Real Oviedo was honoured on Friday by former club Arsenal in front of home fans the Emirates Stadium crowd gave a standing ovation to the man who led the Londoners' midfield for six seasons Cazorla had taken advantage of the Christmas break in Spanish football to return to the English capital and enjoy the applause of his former fans And in passing he left open the possibility "I came home after 20 years with my family to try to retire in the best way and enjoy every day The French media were impressed with Arsenal as they set up a semi-final clash with PSG, a side they beat in the league phase of the competition 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium Mikel Arteta praised Declan Rice for his performance once again as he dominated the Real Madrid midfield and drove the Gunners onwards to victory Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli grabbed the headlines with their goals but both were provided by the excellent Mikel Merino and Arsenal stars have shown their appreciation for the Spaniard READ MORE: What Myles Lewis-Skelly did before Real Madrid masterclass proves Arsenal starlet is immune to nerves Merino has been phenomenal for Arteta’s side since transforming into a make shift centre forward and the Real Madrid defence could not handle his intelligence of movement The Spaniard’s physicality was also impressive during his performance at the Bernabeu and after providing two assists Saka and former Gunners midfielder Santi Cazorla are among those praising Merino A post shared by Mikel Merino (@mikelmerino) Saka commented on Merino’s Instagram post with the words: “So good” whilst Cazorla replied with seven ‘raising hands’ emojis followed by three ‘heart’ emojis Rice also sent a message to Merino as he wrote: “This player [heart emoji] [heart eyes emoji]” and there was even further praise from Jurrien Timber who simply commented: “You are insane.” Merino’s redemption arc from being questioned by fans earlier in the season to leading the forward line with style and effect has been quite extraordinary With just two goals and one assist to his name before the position change Arsenal fans were unsure of his ability to make a difference to the side but those questions have been firmly answered Arsenal chased Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window and whilst a centre forward is an obvious priority for the summer window, Merino has provided a sensational short term solution. Arteta deserves all the credit for identifying Merino’s ability to adapt to the role and it may just prove to be the masterstroke that ends the Gunners long wait for European glory. Arsenal bounced back from the weekend's shock defeat to Bournemouth with a strong result against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and may have found the next Santi Cazorla in the process Mikel Arteta urged his side to 'take the pain and use it' against Shakhtar after the disappointing loss to Bournemouth The Arsenal manager made two changes from the team that lost to the Cherries with both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus coming in for Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling And it was Martinelli who helped the Gunners get in front as he cut inside on his right foot with his effort bouncing in off the goalkeeper Jesus also had a great chance to double Arsenal's lead before the break it was Trossard who got Arsenal fans talking in the first half when he took a corner with his weaker foot in the first half The Belgium international stepped up to take a corner in the sixth minute and caught many by surprise as he lined up to take it with his left foot And he delivered a wicked cross into the middle of the box with the ball dropping to Riccardo Calafiori who snatched at his chance and fired over the bar Trossard's left-footed corner soon went viral on social media with Arsenal fans likening it to Gunners hero Cazorla One message read: "Trossard pulling a Santi Cazorla and using his weaker foot on a corner." Another posted: "Trossard decides to take corners with his left foot A third wrote: "Trossard taking corners with his weaker left foot - a throwback to Cazorla Leandro Trossard took a corner with his weaker foot like Santi Cazorla One other person said: "Trossard taking corners with his left Another noted: "Highlight of this half was Trossard taking corner with left foot." Trossard has endeared himself to the Arsenal fanbase having scored some crucial goals in his short time with the club Arsenal missed a host of chances to build on their lead he missed a great chance to double Arsenal's lead against Shakhtar after stepping up to take a spot kick in the second half Trossard fired down the middle of the goal and saw his effort saved by the feet of Dmytro Riznyk The miss nearly proved fatal in the end as Shakhtar pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time with David Raya coming to the rescue for his side as the Gunners clinched all three points The 40-year-old had a six-year stint at the Emirates Stadium where he was seen as a magician for some of the things he could do with the ball Santi Cazorla went on to win two FA Cups and two Community Shields in his time at Arsenal Since then he has featured for Al-Sadd in Qatar and now his boyhood club Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier While Cazorla is in the twilight of his career he is still going strong and will be seen once again at Arsenal on Friday night Santi Cazorla has been invited back to the Emirates Stadium, with the former Arsenal icon making an appearance pitchside He will feature on the club’s official broadcast on YouTube before the match and will give his thoughts before the match An interview in front of the supporters will take place at 8pm where there will be plenty of questions asked It will be an opportunity to give the midfielder a warm welcome back and a lovely send-off given how his career was impacted by injury The star spent almost two years on the sidelines through injury before leaving in 2018 for Villarreal his last game for Arsenal actually came in 2016 during a Champions League clash with Ludogorets but in the process the midfielder had to be substituted after suffering an injury The Spaniard suffered from several Achilles Tendon problems requiring ten different surgeries to solve his problems Cazorla didn’t make another appearance for Arsenal afterwards but has managed to continue playing football His career with the Gunners ended up looking quite impressive but could’ve been even better if he wasn’t mired with injuries There’s always a question of ‘What if?’ with Cazorla at Arsenal but fans will get another chance to show their love for the midfielder when he returns "The better players you have around you, the better player you are. The best decision I made was to go to Arsenal; it was where I had the most fun and where I grew the most," Cazorla recalled “I always saw the Premier League as something far away It was the best decision I made in my career You realize how big a club is because of everything it does." Cazorla also recalled his relationship with Wenger “I expected someone authoritarian or imposing “If he hadn't given me the extra year That detail speaks volumes about his greatness.” Arsenal are searching for a new sporting director and former midfielder Santi Cazorla could be a shock option Cazorla is still playing for Spanish Second Division side Real Oviedo but with his contract up at the end of the season Edu Gaspar recently left his role as Arsenal’s sporting director and the club are looking for a replacement Tomas Rosicky has been linked with a return, whilst Arsenal are also admirers of Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes Cazorla has just played a crucial role in a transfer and this is a promising sign if he is to ever become a sporting director Real Oviedo have just signed free agent Francisco Portillo in a shock move as the veteran left Leganes at the end of last season Portillo revealed that Cazorla played a “fundamental” role in initiating the deal “Cazorla was the one who started the conversations with me and then my agents and Real Oviedo themselves came in,” Portillo told Mundo Deportivo and admitted that he had to be “very convinced” over the move “There was predisposition on the part of everyone “I thought I was going to renew [with Leganes].” Cazorla played alongside Portillo at Malaga before he moved to Arsenal, and he could end up reuniting with another former teammate in Mikel Arteta A return to Arsenal in a non-sporting role seems inevitable for Cazorla at some point with the Spaniard previously admitting his desire to take a sporting director role “I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal]. You would have to ask the fans, but I want to thank everyone,” he told The Standard in 2020 Whilst Arsenal fans would love to see Cazorla back in some capacity many may be concerned if he was to immediately replace Edu as sporting director but he technically does have some transfer experience in what he is currently doing at Real Oviedo if Cazorla does retire from football at the end of the season then an Emirates return cannot be ruled out beloved by Arsenal fans for his creativity and irrepressible joy netted his first goal for Real Oviedo in a commanding 5-1 victory over Racing de Ferrol was not just a milestone but a poetic special for a player who has battled through adversity to continue living his dream “It’s a special day,” said Cazorla reflecting on the moment that will resonate with fans of Real Oviedo and beyond “The most important thing is the three points because I’ve fulfilled a dream since I was a child but I was also focused because it was important to score I shot with conviction and I’m happy because it helped the team to score.” who returned to his boyhood club last year converted from the spot with typical calmness The goal came early in the match and set the tone for a dominant display struggling with defensive lapses in recent weeks found cohesion in attack under manager Javi Calleja’s revamped system Cazorla’s path to this moment has been anything but straightforward Arsenal fans will remember the horror injury he suffered in 2016 a severe Achilles problem that led to multiple surgeries and a devastating infection doctors reportedly considered amputating his foot Few believed he would ever play football again making an emotional return to the pitch with Villarreal in 2018 His performances were so inspiring that he earned a recall to the Spanish national team His stint in Qatar with Al-Sadd allowed him to maintain his fitness and extend his career before fulfilling his lifelong dream of representing Real Oviedo Cazorla remains a fan favourite for his artistry and versatility he quickly became the heartbeat of the team Cazorla’s technical brilliance was evident His two-footedness and ability to unlock defences with ease endeared him to the Emirates faithful His role in Arsenal’s 2014 FA Cup triumph remains iconic It was his thunderous free-kick that sparked a comeback against Hull City ending the club’s nine-year trophy drought Cazorla’s infectious smile and love for the game made him a talismanic figure and his departure in 2018 due to his injury struggles was met with universal sadness Oviedo’s manager Javi Calleja heaped praise on his captain noting his determination to play through pain It’s unbelievable that he didn’t feel pressure with the fans wanting him to score He scored his first goal and we couldn’t be happier he played like that throughout the first half and had stitches on his foot in the second half He got a big cut on him from an unlucky blow the victory was a much-needed boost after two consecutive defeats shared with fans who have supported him through his journey “We’re privileged to have the support of our fans,” he said “Now we have to build on this performance and stay focused.” As Cazorla celebrated with the Oviedo faithful it was clear that this was more than just a goal It was the fulfilment of a childhood dream and a reminder of why football remains the beautiful game Santi Cazorla return and Joao Neves transfer Martin Odegaard is inching closer to making a return to action for Arsenal after an injury issue that has kept him out for roughly two months The midfielder has struggled with an ankle issue he picked up during the September international break with Norway Upon his return, it was revealed that ligament damage would keep him out, which has come as a big problem for Mikel Arteta The Arsenal boss has endured some difficult results without the club captain, but he could return in time for Champions League action with Inter Milan That’s because Odegaard was pictured back in training ahead of the tie on Wednesday night Read more on Martin Odegaard’s injury, here Arsenal director of football Edu Gaspar has resigned after five years at the club in the boardroom making decisions over transfers The Brazilian has made a huge impact on the squad with an overhaul in transfer strategy the Gunners will be looking for their next hire to help take the club to the next level That could even be in the form of another former player, with Santi Cazorla previously revealing his intentions to return the ex-midfielder said: “I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal] Read more about Santi Cazorla’s Arsenal return, here Arsenal have missed out on plenty of high-profile transfers for one reason or another but one recent target is still fresh in the mind That man is Joao Neves who made the switch from Benfica to PSG over the summer and has impressed ever since The Gunners were showing interest in a move but couldn’t get a deal over the line as a deal to join the Paris club was on the cards Arsenal Insider understands that scouts at the club already regret that they weren’t able to sign the 20-year-old midfielder It remains to be seen whether that could prompt a big-money move in the future though he is seemingly secure at PSG for the time being Read more on Joao Neves to Arsenal, here The Spanish midfielder last played for Arsenal back in 2016 before suffering a horror injury which kept him out of action until he left the club in 2018 Santi Cazorla representing Oviedo in the Spanish second tier The midfielder is still very fondly remembered at Arsenal and it is hoped by many that he might return to North London when he does decide to finally hang up his boots There have been rumours that Cazorla might be offered a coaching role at Arsenal for some time the Gunners are also seeking to replace Edu Gaspar following his resignation as sporting director Cazorla has indicated that he would take the Arsenal sporting director vacancy though it remains to be seen if the club would be willing to appoint such an untested figure in that role Speaking to Amazon Prime Video (27/12/2024 Cazorla once again outlined his stance on returning to Arsenal in the future in some capacity Something in football for sure because it’s what I love but we’ll see in the future.” Whilst it is unknown what kind of role Cazorla might be offered at Arsenal, it is a fact that Mikel Arteta has a huge amount affection and respect for this former teammate Arteta and Cazorla struck up a close friendship as Arsenal players and the manager would surely be keen to be reunited with his former midfield partner on the touchline at the Emirates Stadium Many in the current Arsenal squad could certainly learn a great deal from Cazorla The two-footed playmaker is extraordinarily technically gifted and was capable of producing moments of magic for the Gunners He will have gained a great deal of valuable experience across his 180 appearances for Arsenal that he could pass on to the current squad Published: Invalid Date Nacho Monreal is arguably one of Arsenal's greatest ever January signings - and fans have Santi Cazorla to thank for that The Spaniard linked up at the Emirates from Malaga on deadline day in 2013 for around £10million He joined the Gunners just months after Cazorla made the same move from the LaLiga outfit Monreal was initially signed to provide competition for Kieran Gibbs but quickly endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful Within two years, he was the first-choice left-back under Arsene Wenger - starting in the 2015 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa It was one of three FA Cups that the retired 38-year-old won in north London - in addition to three Community Shields he scooped where he featured in each win Few Arsenal fans would have even heard of the player 12 years ago, with interest in the defender coming as a surprise to everyone. However no one was more shocked than Monreal himself, who revealed he only learned that Arsenal were keen to sign him after waking up to missed calls from Cazorla. Speaking in 2015, he said: "I remember on January 31, I woke up, looked at my phone and has two [missed] calls from Santi. of course.' So the transfer was really quick "On one day I was training in the morning with Malaga and I didn’t know anything and then ten hours later I was signing my contract with Arsenal In his first interview with Arsenal.com following his move from Spain Monreal opened up on just what Cazorla said to persuade him to join I asked how things were here and he only had very positive things to say "He said that Arsenal was a massive club the people are great and it’s really just a big family "I am sure we can be successful this season and I am really looking forward to the challenge Having shared a dressing room with someone who’s already made this journey is a good feeling "Now it’s my turn and I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps." Monreal didn't just become a cult hero like Cazorla but he was more successful at Arsenal than his compatriot - staying a year long and featuring in 71 more games in all competitions he slotted in as a left-sided centre-back in a back three formation highlighting his versatility and willingness to deliver wherever deployed After six-and-a-half-years in north London, he decided to return to Spain in August 2019 to join Real Sociedad It was there where he played alongside future Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino He also played alongside midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who talkSPORT understands is poised to link up with Arsenal at the end of the season And while he arrived at the club as a relatively unknown quantity he has left a lasting legacy at his former stomping ground Cazorla returned to the Emirates for the first time in seven years presenting himself to his admirers in N5 as a special guest The Spaniard left Arsenal after a six-year stay to return to Spain being a valued member of his boyhood club Real Oviedo Cazorla has loyal fans within the Arsenal squad with Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard previously sharing their admiration for the midfielder It was only in the summer that Arsene Wenger’s former creator was last associated with the Gunners, as Cazorla joined Arsenal’s training camp in Marbella While the dazzling playmaker has taken seven years to return to the Emirates his heart is still very much in north London as he made clear when featuring on Arsenal’s pre-match show against Ipswich Town Speaking to the club’s media team on YouTube during the build-up to the fixture, Cazorla was asked to put together his dream five-a-side team.  The Spaniard made the decision to name five players he had played with in north London, with some names more expected than others. “I would say Mesut Ozil. I think he was a top player. Alexis Sanchez, he was on fire here. I love to play with Aaron Ramsey as well,” Cazorla explained. Arsenal’s former creator in chief had no room for defenders in his miniature squad, naming a fourth attacker and a surprise goalkeeper. “Another one is Rosicky, I love to play with him. Goalkeeper, Petr Cech. With this team, I think we win the league.” Not many would look back on Petr Cech’s time at Arsenal too fondly however, it’s clear that the shot-stopper’s impact on those around him was far more memorable. Cech made 139 appearances for Arsenal after trading west London for north following his silverware-laden time at Chelsea. While the decorated Czech Republic international’s impact at the Emirates was underwhelming, things were opposing for his teammate Cazorla.  The Spaniard made 180 appearances for the Gunners, contributing to 73 goals along the way, as well as winning two FA Cups. Cazorla will forever be remembered for his time in north London, with it heartwarming to see the ongoing love between himself and Arsenal supporters. Having played for the club and then returned as a coach, Wilshere has now left north London to take up a more senior role at Championship side Norwich City During his time at Arsenal Wilshere had been working in the club’s academy to help nurture the next generation of players through their system The midfielder was able to play alongside some real legends of the game at Arsenal with Wilshere hailing Cesc Fabregas as one of the best But it is midfield maestro Santi Cazorla who has taken to social media to share his thoughts on Wilshere’s Arsenal exit The former Arsenal midfielder had remained relatively quiet on his departure up until now with a heartfelt message posted on Instagram Things can change quick and I haven’t had the chance to Thank everyone @officialarsenalacademy for the last 2 years,’ he said ‘Everyone knows @arsenal is my club and leaving is never easy especially when you care so much about the club the staff and most importantly the players When I retired from football I took the step into coaching AFC gave me the opportunity to take my first role as a head coach A post shared by Jack Wilshere (@jackwilshere) ‘Arsenal remains in my blood and I will be watching every game as a fan I hope we see some more young players from the Academy taking that step to the first team The message is one which will have gone down well with the Arsenal fans who will surely be wishing Wilshere the best in his new role And one former Arsenal midfielder shared his congratulations with Cazorla responding: ‘Super Jack’ The pair played together around a decade ago at the Emirates with Wilshere recently defending Arsene Wenger against Jamie Carragher’s criticism The 32-year-old had held the role at London Colney for over two years where he took care of the U18s side And there was one player who the former Gunner loved to watch in action with Wilshere praising Chido Martin-Obi and everyone,” Wilshere said back in April fast forward to this summer and the striker left Arsenal at the end of his contract to join Manchester United And now the Red Devils want another of Wilshere’s former youngsters with Man United eyeing Arsenal’s Max Dowell next Santi Cazorla was a huge fan’s favourite at Arsenal and his departure was met with sadness at the Emirates – but what happened to the players Arsenal sold alongside him Cazorla was brilliant during his six years at the Emirates Stadium and is still playing at the age of 39 for his boyhood team Real Oviedo The Gunners sold six other players alongside Cazorla during the summer of 2018 – and we’ve checked to see how they’re all faring today Mertesacker remains a popular player in North London to this day the towering German defender stuck around at the club and is now the manager of the Arsenal Academy He has also set up a charity to help sportspeople suffering from mental illness and disadvantaged people in general Wilshere was all set to become one of the best players of his generation after that performance against Barcelona in the 2010-11 Champions League but injuries dogged his career and he left for West Ham in the summer of 2018 His spell in east London was ignominious; the Hammers lost their opening four matches with Wilshere in midfield before recovering to finish 10th with him largely sidelined He left West Ham in 2020 and briefly played for Bournemouth and Danish side Aarhus The 32-year-old retired from professional football in 2022 and now works as the head coach of the Arsenal under-18 team Reine-Adelaide found his opportunities limited at the Emirates making just eight appearances for the senior side before joining Ligue 1 Angers in 2018 When I had the opportunity to get playing time I achieved good and bad performances,” the former France Under-21 international told Lyon Capitale in 2019 with players who didn’t know each other very well… It was complicated.” Reine-Adelaide was able to restart his career back in France and his performances earned him a €25million move to Lyon in 2019 He never quite impressed though and eventually moved to Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek in 2023 suffering relegation in his first season with his new club READ NEXT: An XI of transfer targets Arsenal dodged a bullet by not signing TRY A QUIZ: Can you name Arsenal’s top 30 Premier League goalscorers? Akpom was a popular figure at the Emirates but struggled to make his mark and failed to score for the Gunners in 12 appearances The striker joined PAOK Salonika in 2018 where he became an instant hero firing them to a historic league and cup Double Akpom returned to England in September 2020 joining Middlesbrough for £2.75miilion and scored on his debut against QPR and went on to score 34 goals in 82 appearances for the Championship club His form earned him a surprise move to Ajax in 2023 perhaps a reflection of their diminished status these days but Akpom scored 15 goals in his debut season for the Eredivisie giants so perhaps he can be an integral part of their recovery Perez spent just one season at the Emirates before being loaned out to Deportivo and then eventually sold to West Ham He didn’t last long at London Stadium either But the Spaniard thrived in two years at Alaves after returning to Spain in 2019 so much so that he was wanted by Barcelona in February 2020 “It is not the first time that Barcelona has called me “The truth is that that does not distract me “What is clear to me is that I want to do well and I want to feel like a player again as I am doing here where they have given me love since day one.” Perez eventually returned to his beloved Deportivo and helped them return to the second tier of Spanish football last season There wasn’t a dry eye in La Coruna – and plenty across Spain were pleased for both player and club too TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every Spanish player to appear for Arsenal in the Premier League? Having signed from Costa Rican outfit Deportivo Saprissa Campbell was sent out on loan six times at Arsenal The Costa Rica international was given a chance after starring at the 2014 World Cup but it was clear that Arsene Wenger never really fancied him and Emery soon packed him off the forward was finally sold permanently and moved to Frosinone After failing to score in 17 games for the Italian outfit Campbell moved to Mexican side Leon and eventually returned to Costa Rica with Alajuelense He has won 142 caps for his country and played at three World Cups The 6 managers Cristiano Ronaldo scored fewer than 10 goals under: Ten Hag 5 top footballers we can’t believe are still awaiting their first major honour 9 footballers who refused to celebrate after scoring against their former club 6 of the most infamous guards of honour in football history: Chelsea 7 free agents we’d love to see in the Baller League UK A combined XI from promoted & relegated clubs that could achieve Premier League survival The clubs with the most league titles in world football: Celtic The midfielder is just days away from turning 40 years old but he is still playing an important role for his boyhood club Real Oviedo Santi Cazorla became a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium following on from his move to the club in 2012 from Malaga In a six-year stint with Arsenal the Spaniard made 180 appearances across all competitions scoring and assisting on plenty of occasions The Spaniard was a magician and while naturally time has seen him drift out of the limelight his return to his boyhood club is creating some wholesome moments While many would have retired or moved elsewhere for the money 39-year-old Cazorla made the switch to his boyhood club Real Oviedo in La Liga 2 The experienced star initially came through the ranks for Los Azules before he joined Villarreal for as part of their youth team the switch back for Cazorla is a real romantic story and one that isn’t over yet he managed to score his first goal for the club in a 5-1 win over Racing Ferrol 📸 Una secuencia grabada en miles de retinas oviedistas 👀🩵#RealOviedo 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/7XmAboHqLE It’s a great moment that reflects well on the ex-Arsenal star who is still going strong at this moment in time Cazorla impressed fans and managed to capture their hearts with mesmeric performances on the pitch It didn’t always reflect in the stats with plenty of goals and assists with those small moments of joy in the middle of games often showing more of his ability than pure output While his playing days are reaching the twilight there is still the possibility of a return to the Emirates Stadium Cazorla has outlined his hopes to return to Arsenal in a possible position off the pitch When Arsene Wenger signed Santi Cazorla in the summer of 2012 he left Arsenal as one of the manager’s greatest signings and one of the fans’ most beloved players Robin van Persie was set to leave for Manchester United and all anybody cared about was who would be signed to replace him Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud were eventually handed the unenviable task Considering the Dutchman ended up leading United to the title and scoring more goals than Podolski and Giroud combined it could very well have been regarded as a poor transfer window Thanks almost entirely to the signing of Cazorla for what now looks like an absolute bargain of £15million it would go down as one of Wenger’s best The first task for every new signing is to win over their new club’s fans Podolski and Giroud failed to do so on their debuts with both unable to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland With Alex Song signing for Barcelona and injuries keeping Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere out the Spaniard was tasked with being the team’s creator-in-chief creating numerous chances that his team-mates failed to convert After Arsenal was held to another goalless draw against Stoke Cazorla adopted the age-old philosophy of if you want something done he got on the scoresheet himself with the help of a howler from compatriot Pepe Reina The last time Arsenal beat Liverpool away was a 2-0 victory in 2012 which was the 3rd game of the new Premier League season. New signings Cazorla and Podolski scored.pic.twitter.com/SbjvIyWfZR — Throwback Arsenal (@ThrowbackAFC) August 21, 2019 If you want to earn the unconditional love of the Arsenal faithful there are few better ways to do so than by performing against their rivals and that’s exactly what Cazorla did next He then followed it up with a goal and an assist Other highlights of his first season included a hat-trick against Reading a double against Aston Villa and four assists in a crucial game against Wigan that secured them Champions League football 14 assists and was unsurprisingly named Arsenal’s Player of the Season he would have undoubtedly made the league’s Team of the Season and even been in contention for the accolade of Best Player being dragged down by the struggles of his team would become something of a recurring theme for the man who had been dubbed The Magician at the Emirates Cazorla had occupied the No.10 role in his first season at Arsenal the arrival of Mezut Ozil ahead of the following campaign meant he’d have to adapt to different roles to stay in the team An ankle injury kept him out at the start of the season he scored his second goal against Liverpool to remind everyone of what of he was capable of It admittedly took him a little time to get comfortable in his new position out wide Three games into 2013 he put in a glorious performance against Fulham It sent ArsenalFanTV wild and had people desperately trying to figure out whether he had a stronger foot There was little he could do to prevent the classic Arsenal capitulation that ended their title hopes he did at least make sure they’d finish in their favourite position of fourth again getting an assist in four of their last five games to do so he was crucial in the FA Cup triumph that brought an end to their nine-year trophy drought He bagged his second North London derby goal in the opening round and followed it up with another against Coventry but the undoubted highlight was his *ridiculous* goal in the final He’d already dragged Arsenal there by scoring the winning penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Wigan they were 2-0 down against Hull and about to let him down again he stepped up and sent the ball flying into the far corner to kickstart the comeback It was one of the best goals Wembley has seen and one of the most important in Arsenal’s recent history READ NEXT: Eight reasons why Arsenal supporters will always love Santi Cazorla and in his second he’d been a winger Arsenal had been longing for a playmaker who could dictate the game and single-handedly drive their team forward but sadly he was spending more time on the injury table than the pitch After a decent first half of the season playing further forward he took to the deeper position like a proverbial duck to water in what was arguably his best-ever performance in an Arsenal shirt against Manchester City The club had a notoriously bad record away to big teams so even their own fans expected them to lose Such pessimism grew when it came to light that Wenger had set his team up with Francis Coquelin and Cazorla in defensive midfield Cazorla couldn’t defend and Coquelin was What followed was an absolute masterclass in counter-attacking football Not only was he deadly from dead-ball situations scoring a penalty and getting an assist from a free-kick but he also nailed pretty much everything else It was the exact type of performance Arsenal had been crying out for he was equally as impressive in the next game getting a goal and two assists against Aston Villa 📆 On this day in 2015, Santi Cazorla ran the show as Arsenal beat Man City 0-2 at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/LYzaY3I8kg — Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) January 18, 2019 He continued to run things for his side until the end of the season which once again finished with Arsenal lifting an FA Cup and nothing else failing to acknowledge the class of Santi Cazorla The club had won two trophies in two years they looked lethal going forward with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez and Cazorla had found the perfect role for both them and himself Cazorla had become a key player at the club after starting the season in excellent form a knee injury ruled him out until the final game of the campaign he damaged his Achilles tendon and had eight operations After that came a gangrene infection which was so serious that there was talk of amputation which ruled him out of the 2017-18 campaign What if he’d been part of a squad as good and as successful as those from the late ’90s and early 2000s he may well have been added to the elite group of true club legends What if he hadn’t been plagued by what Arsene Wenger described as the worst injury he’d ever seen Judging by how good he was at Villarreal after finally recovering it’s fair to say he could and probably would have remained Arsenal’s best player for many more years he’s remembered as a fan favourite who had no weak foot was lethal from a set-piece and was just a really lovely bloke but given that he smiles more in a minute than Roy Keane has in his entire life we’re pretty sure that it’s enough for him By Finley Crebolder a Spaniard who has remained very close with Mikel Arteta You’ll struggle to find many more popular Arsenal players than Cazorla in recent years a diminutive playmaker who was as good with his left foot as he was with his right Cazorla made 180 appearances and won two FA Cups and it’s remarkable that the midfielder is still playing football today 39-year-old Cazorla is captain of Real Oviedo in La Liga 2 his boyhood club who he always wanted to return to one day Arsenal fans will perhaps hope that Cazorla one day finds his way back to the Emirates Stadium as a coach something that’s already been rumoured in the past there’s no reason to call time on his playing career just yet Cazorla completed his first 90 minutes of the season for Oviedo last weekend The Spaniard moves between an attacking midfield or more deep-lying role for his boyhood side READ MORE: Three-time Premier League winner still regrets that he never played for Arsenal And in a 3-2 win over UD Almeria on Sunday demonstrating that he very much still has it that also earned Cazorla a spot in FC25’s Team of the Week not something you’ll see every week from a player of his age whilst he was still wearing an Arsenal shirt Cazorla was regularly joined in midfield by Francis Coquelin And Cazorla will be interested to learn that Coquelin is on the cusp of a shock return to English football something fans in N5 wouldn’t have seen coming Cazorla made the switch to the Premier League from La Liga to join Arsenal That’s a path that Martin Odegaard also took to north London And when speaking about the midfielder in the past, Odegaard labelled Cazorla as an ‘unbelievable’ talent I remember watching him when I was younger He was someone I enjoyed watching so much.” the Norwegian may be one of many at the club who are biding their time until Cazorla is ready to return as part of Arteta’s coaching team Many fans woke up on Monday to the shocking news that the Brazilian has left his role at the Emirates after over five years at the job Nobody expected Edu to leave Arsenal halfway through the season but the decision has been made and the 46-year-old has been allowed to move on Arsenal fans are now wondering who will succeed him One Gunners fan favourite has previously expressed his desire to come back to the Emirates as the sporting director Santi Cazorla is one of the biggest fan favourites in Arsenal’s Emirates era The Spaniard joined the Gunners from Malaga in the summer of 2012 and spent six years at the club He won the fans over right on his debut and is loved even to this day He dons Real Oviedo’s colours in Spain these days and although he doesn’t play much The little magician has provided four assists in 833 minutes of football for the Spanish side which is an excellent return considering his age Cazorla’s contract at Oviedo expires at the end of this season and the expectation is that he will hang up his boots next summer The 39-year-old has already talked about his future and one of his dreams is to ‘come back’ to Arsenal – either as a coach or a sporting director Speaking in May 2020, when Edu was still at the helm at Arsenal, Cazorla said, as per the Standard: “I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal] READ MORE: Arsenal fans will absolutely adore what 39-year-old Santi Cazorla did in Spain recently Every Arsenal fan would love to see Cazorla return in some capacity The Spaniard is a joy to have around the place and everyone who saw him play in the famous red and white absolutely loves him However, the sporting director role at Arsenal is a huge one and to fill Edu’s shoes they will need someone with a lot of experience at the highest level so we will be shocked if Arsenal would even consider him as an option for the now-vacant role at the club It will be interesting to see who Arsenal owners Stan and Josh Kroenke will consider for the role in the coming weeks The midfielder fan favourite played alongside the now manager Sport | Football featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Santi Cazorla says he knows "the door is open" for a return to Arsenal The fan favourite midfielder played 180 games over six seasons with the Gunners but saw his time heavily hampered by injuries despite his successes in north London told The Guardian that he "really want[s] to go back" and the Gunners manager has since suggested there is space for the fellow Spaniard on his coaching staff "I have a very special affection for Arsenal," Cazorla tells Sky Sports "I spent six wonderful years there and I know how much all the people love me there "Of course, I was fortunate to share a dressing room with Mikel Arteta and now he is the manager We had conversations about that but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club and continuing to enjoy football as a player It is clear that Arsenal is a club that has always left the door open to me to return I have enough on my mind with the play-offs and trying to enjoy the last days of my playing career." Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Arteta has left the door open for Arsenal return says CazorlaSanti Cazorla played 180 times for Arsenal over a six-year stint and could return to North London as part of Mikel Arteta's coaching staff.Santi Cazorla has revealed that Mikel Arteta has left the door open for a possible return to Arsenal as part of his coaching staff when he comes to the end of his glistening career.  The 39-year-old returned to his boyhood club Real Oviedo last year and is on the brink of helping Luis Carrion's side return to La Liga after a 23-year exile in which they dropped as low as the fourth tier of Spanish football.  It is expected that the two-time European Championship winner will retire following their second division play-off final fixture against Eibar with the possibility of embarking on a career in coaching with the club he spent six years at as a player.  Cazorla made 180 appearances for the Gunners between 2012 and 2016 scoring 29 goals and providing 44 assists in that time winning the FA Cup and Community Shield on two occasions alongside his fellow compatriot Arteta.  While the Spaniard's full focus will remain on Saturday's fixture with the Carbayones he revealed that conversations have been had with the Arsenal boss about a potential return to the Emirates.  "I have a very special affection for Arsenal," Cazorla told Sky Sports and I know how much all the people love me there I was fortunate to share a dressing room with Mikel Arteta but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club in which it dropped as low as the fourth tier of Spanish football It is expected that the two-time European championship winner with Spain will retire after Oveido's second division play-off final fixture against Eibar with the possibility of embarking on a career in coaching with the club he spent six years at as a player winning the FA Cup and Community Shield on two occasions alongside compatriot Arteta While the Spaniard's full focus will remain on the fixtures with the Carbayones – thre first leg was a 0-0 draw with the second to be played on Thursday (AEST) – he revealed that conversations have been had with the Arsenal boss about a potential return to the Gunners "I have a very special affection for Arsenal," Cazorla said Arsenal progressed to the Champions League semi-final following a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final stage The Gunners had a 3-0 lead from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium They secured a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu last night The defence was rubber-tight for most of the game Several defensive and midfield players earned plaudits but Mikel Merino was an unsung hero upfront for Arsenal The Spaniard provided the assist for Bukayo Saka’s opening goal and replicated the feat for Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner Following the game, the 28-year-old posted on Instagram that the best is yet to come from Arsenal Santi Cazorla was one of those who responded The Gunners favourite replied with hands-up and heart emojis Jurrien Timber commented ‘you are insane’ while Bukayo Saka described Merino as ‘so good’ Merino had a slow start to his Gunners career after a shoulder injury There were questions raised about whether he could cope with the physical demands of the Premier League the Euro 2024 winner has redeemed himself over the course of the campaign He has been exceptional since operating as a makeshift striker for Arsenal Since coming on as a substitute against Leicester in mid-February the Spaniard has registered six goals and three assists for the London giants in all competitions Merino was brought in to operate as a defensive or central midfielder but he has exceeded expectations with his regular goal contributions over the last two months Arsenal will be hoping he can continue his sparkling form The Gunners host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on April 29 Arsenal are leading Chelsea in the race to sign one of Borussia Dortmund’s prized.. Jorginho has agreed to join Flamengo on a free transfer this summer Arsenal are anticipated to be busy during the summer transfer window Real Madrid are the only club that appeals to Arsenal defender William Saliba as.. Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla had revealed that he had talked to Mikel Arteta about a potential return Print Most comedy clubs in L.A but it’s the special venues that know how to treat comedians properly when they walk in the door “Comics should never have to pay for drinks when they’re performing,” Cazorla says The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” guest knew she wasn’t alone in her frustrations with traditional venues. Cazorla recalls one day posting a question on on Instagram, “’What are the top one or two things you cannot stand about comedy clubs?’ People were DM-ing me diaries’ worth of their experiences.” Our 25 must-see shows at Netflix Is a Joke Promises Cazorla, “Someone’s not laughing and breathing on you. You’re not hearing people eat tortilla chips in your face. There’s no clanking forks and knives. Your focus should be about the performance.” Kookaburra’s festival lineup will also include well-known comedy shows “Long Time No See,” “Watch What Crappens,” “Late for Work,” plus sets from Rich Vos with Bonnie McFarlane, Christopher Titus, Ahmed Ahmed, Orny Adams, Lisa Ann Walter, Adam Carolla, Murray Hill, Mike Young and Leah Rudick. The new venue is part of a three-year, $100-million transformation of Hollywood & Highland center into the Ovation — through which a million visitors pass monthly. Cazorla found her fourth-floor space — the former site of the Grill on Hollywood — through LoopNet and met with the leasing agent. There was a catch, however: She had to present a sample show. The Hollywood Roosevelt lineup included Craig Robinson, Jack Assadourian Jr., Jonathan Kite and Jeff Dye. Cazorla bested L.A. night club Crazy Girls for the space. Art Deco touches inform outdoor marquees, globed chandeliers, and vintage Audubon wallpaper is glinting with pink birds. Inside the main venue, which can seat nearly 200, are plush teal chairs, backed stools, two booths and three VIP couches, each sporting intimate tables and clean sight-lines. Business consultant Eric Anderson, the veteran management expert known industry wide for working with the Comedy Store, Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, and Dave Chappelle’s upcoming venue in Yellow Springs, Ohio, supplied a solid business plan and, according to Cazorla, “all the hard, nerdy stuff that will ensure the club is going to make money.” Old Hollywood’s glamorous nightclub era reemerges with an oversize rounded stage, an electric Roland baby grand piano and lighted birds flanking each side of the stage. Jazz trios will accompany show exits; audience members will be encouraged to relax around the horseshoe bar until last call. Traditional comedy spots might hire door guys, bartenders or servers who also seek stage time. Kookaburra staff members will be no-performing service professionals. Cazorla says, “It’s in the handbook: You cannot solicit to the comics. You cannot take photos with them. You cannot give them your number.” In addition to the comedy shows, Cazorla is planning all-age variety matinees and Sunday jazz nights. A new, 50-seat daytime patio dining area with a kitchen that provides cafe fare. “And it’s safe to leave your purse, instead of having to take it onstage with you,” Cazorla promises. The Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood on April 18, 2024. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) Future plans include a crossover with Playboy’s Rare Hare whiskey to revive the club night “Playboy After Dark,” and marketing collaborations with Starline Tours, a double-decker tour bus company next to the club. Until then, Cazorla is preparing for its first official shows on its big opening weekend starting May 2 with headliner Christopher Titus. Entertainment & Arts Television Hollywood Inc. Music Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map This article is part of The Athletic’s series celebrating memorable debuts. To view the whole collection, click here Six years since their move to Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were just creeping out of Arsene Wenger’s first edition of “project youth” Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Alex Song and Samir Nasri all signed in their teens/early 20s and were sold in the summers of 2011 and 2012. Arsenal’s 2011 deadline day dash was an attempt to plug holes in a depleted squad but business was done much earlier and was more concise in 2012 Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud joined the frontline before Euro 2012 was over The man who truly got heart rates increasing ahead of the 2012-13 season was a short man born in the north of Spain Santi Cazorla became an Arsenal player in early August fans got a taste for the magic they’d enjoy on August 18 and that was so crucial to the side for the next six years Supported by Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta behind him as the No 10 Cazorla had freedom to run the game as he pleased he received the ball under pressure on halfway to the right of the centre circle took a few quick touches and pinged a pass out to Kieran Gibbs at left-back he popped up on the left wing and was sliding a through ball into Gibbs’ path in the final third just off-centre receiving the ball on the back foot from a Diaby pass Cazorla’s second touch allows him to burst into that space behind the Sunderland midfield and ahead of their defence he fires a strong left-footed shot at goal which is tipped over In the time it takes some to get out of bed on a cold morning Cazorla had shown the Emirates three aspects that would define his Arsenal career The ability to receive and keep the ball under pressure a tendency to float wherever he felt was necessary to impact the game and the unique skill of striking/passing a ball equally well off either foot His party trick of switching feet to take set pieces was on standby as all six of the corners the midfielder took on debut were with his right foot showing the ambidexterity he had in open play Although Cazorla’s Arsenal career will largely be remembered for what he did in attack, 15 minutes in there was also a glimpse of why he made such a good partnership with Francis Coquelin three years later. Winning a 50-50 against James McClean on the touchline the ball fell to Carl Jenkinson who returned the ball to the Spaniard now under pressure from the Irishman and Kieran Richardson another to pass between the onrushing Sunderland players and all tension was relieved Cazorla had found his rhythm and Arsenal were flowing so when they tried to pack the central area he receives the ball with a wall of blue ahead knowing the space behind them is where Arsenal need to be Knowing they will apply pressure on the ball he heads towards the halfway line and lays it across to Podolski The German immediately passes back to Thomas Vermaelen as he’s pressed then the Belgian uses his first touch to find Cazorla again Because Sunderland’s midfield raced forward while Arsenal played so quickly Cazorla also needs just one touch to play through to Podolski Reading that situation well resulted in not just Podolski receiving in space but then Diaby who had a shot on the edge of the box moving the opposition around to his benefit with those short Cazorla dispelled the theory of “adaption time” when foreign players come to the Premier League A valid reason for why it takes some to find their feet in England he was quick to shift it with a pass or extra touch before driving between the lines to shoot as he did early in the game or supply a pass like this into the final third after a quick give and go with Arteta the most memorable moment of the little magician’s debut came in the 82nd minute With the ball dropping out of the sky, he cushions it to Aaron Ramsey and follows the pass into that space for the return ball A few things happen in the next five seconds;  Cazorla shows his quality again and Giroud displays why he was favoured to Podolski up front so often by Wenger — but also why he was so divisive among Arsenal fans in those early years Giroud begins his peeling run around the Sunderland centre-backs engages the defenders and slips the ball around the corner into Giroud’s path after very good movement from the Frenchman which Podolski did not show earlier in the day (look back at Cazorla’s early shot for an example) Despite doing the initial part well, Giroud skews his shot wide with his right foot and went six games before scoring his first Arsenal goal — missing a similar chance on his favoured left foot when Cazorla, Podolski and Diaby ran riot at Liverpool While Giroud never truly won over all Arsenal fans arriving as Van Persie’s direct replacement always drew comparisons that movement in and around the box was key to him racking up 105 goals in his five-and-a-half years in north London The Frenchman’s physical presence also gave him an edge on Podolski who many felt should have been Wenger’s first choice at the time The power and accuracy behind Podolski’s strikes were more eye-catching and he created an immediate bond with the fanbase it’s clear Giroud excelled in areas he did not which benefitted the team more Podolski’s movements in the box were usually quick bursts to get on the end of cutbacks and when he dropped deep his touch was not as refined to link play as well as Giroud While debates were had over Giroud and Podolski following their debuts Cazorla is a rare player who unified everyone in their views of him from the moment he arrived in north London Many continue to feel the void he left in Arsenal’s midfield since his final appearance against Ludogorets — in which he signed off with an assist in October 2016 — and eventual departure in 2018 Cazorla gave a glimpse into the magic he’d sprinkle over the Premier League for years to come — even if he could not conjure up a goal Arsenal knew they had signed someone special (Top photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) has said he would love to return to Arsenal in some capacity in the future Cazorla is getting closer to retirement after a 21-year career The 40-year-old is almost at the end of his contract (2025) with Spanish second division team Real Oviedo and is considering his future career options has now suggested he would be open to returning to the Emirates eventually “I don’t know [what role I would have] EPL: I will not give up – Guardiola vows ahead of City’s next game Transfer: Romano names three players leaving Chelsea in January EPL: ‘It was strange’ – Rooney slams Amorim over tactics EPL: Keane hands Maresca one key signing to make for Chelsea this summer EPL: Joy to watch – Gary Neville names best player after Chelsea beat Liverpool Owen tells Slot to replace Liverpool star after Chelsea defeat EPL: Iwobi battles five players for Fulham’s Goal of the Month UCL: Wenger reveals ‘advantage’ Arsenal have over PSG ahead of second leg Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd