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Arsenal: Santi Cazorla news past the point of concern
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal’s Spanish maestro Santi Cazorla isn’t a part of the future, and as such, we need to stop hanging on every update (or non-update) regarding his return.
Arsenal used to rely heavily on Santi Cazorla‘s presence, as he was that necessary pivot that could turn defense into attack. They required his services so much that many a time, supporters blamed his absence on the club’s demise. As if he alone could have rectified the situation dragging the Gunners down.
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It hasn’t been that way for awhile. With the 3-4-2-1 and the Granit Xhaka/Aaron Ramsey combination, the Gunners have the necessary midfield presence to pivot play in the other direction just like Cazorla did.
Super Rambo is back and, like it or not, Xhaka is a huge part of that process as well, spraying balls from side to side and over the top.
Still, the recent update from Cazorla was rather sad. His words (as quoted by the Metro):
"I started my recovery two weeks ago. I’m still far [from playing]. I do not have strength in my tendon or muscle mass. I need time [to regain it] but I am very happy my recovery in this 15 days. I am fine but I do not want to set a return date because if I can’t fulfil it would be a big blow. I only think about the day to day. I really want to play again and I will work to get back as soon as possible."
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He made it perfectly clear. There is no hint when he may be back with Arsenal. That does not mean that this is another kiss of death, or that the team has to find a way to cope with the Spaniard. As I have admitted, he was a huge part of this team not so long ago.
But we have to remember that more recently, he wasn’t. The team moved on. And in the process of that happening, we need to have moved on as well.
The club is not hanging on the return of the Spaniard. That would be a horrible way to go about life. So we shouldn’t be either. If this news that he has no return date devastates you, go back and watch how well Arsenal played in the last two or so months of the season in the 3-4-2-1 without Cazorla.
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Anything more we get from Cazorla in his North London career is a bonus. We are past the point of his news being debilitating.