Arsenal: Santi Cazorla simply not part of Gunner’s future

Arsenal has up and moved on without Santi Cazorla, so his new injury may suck, but it’s not like we are still desperate waiting for him.

There was a time, about midway through the 2016/17 season, when Arsenal supporters were convinced that had Santi Cazorla not gotten hurt, the Gunners would be in the title race. The belief was that he was such a crucial piece of the club that they just couldn’t get on without him.

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While I doubt the perceived magnitude of his absence, it certainly didn’t help the problem.

But now, honestly, I haven’t missed Santi Cazorla in months. I still would love to see him back, appreciate who he is as a player and miss what he brings to the club, but his newest set back struck me as more of a ‘that’s sad, I hope he gets better’ more than it did a ‘damn, we’re still screwed.’

When Arsenal swapped to the 3-4-3, things changed. The attack changed. It evolved, which it so rarely does. Players were figuring out their new roles and now that they are starting to get the picture, it is damn fun to watch.

Go ahead, watch the highlights of the win over Chelsea again, I’ll wait.

This system works and while this evolution is happening, Arsenal needs to just step back and let it happen. Maybe throw some wood on the fire and help it burn, like some key transfers to bolster thin positions, but to think that we need Cazorla to be successful again is an extinct thought. It just isn’t the case anymore.

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For starters, we don’t even know how he would fit in the 3-4-3. It wasn’t an easy transition and it took time for some. Cazorla may take time as well.

Secondly, the club moved on. Not out of spite or anything malicious, but because they had to. No one knew when he would be back and his absence was just hanging around the Gunners’ collective neck like a decaying albatross.

When the Spaniard does come back, I’m sure he will work his way into the squad. He could be some crucial depth at the attacking midfield positions and he could even spot the two deep midfielders too, assuming we don’t sign anyone there.

But his absence isn’t holding up the team anymore. He isn’t a part of what is needed to get into the future of the club. We are already getting there with this change.

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All that being said, we do wish Cazorla a quick recovery. It just isn’t the same without the little Spaniard’s smile on the pitch.