Arsenal: Let’s not fool ourselves over Santi Cazorla impact

Santi Cazorla’s last two years at Arsenal did not go according to plan, but let’s not make more of this than what it actually is.

Arsenal’s transition begins as soon as the new manager is announced. And it’s looking like Mikel Arteta. But even in the waiting stages, there is still going to be a lot of anticipation over what is going to be happening this summer.

For instance, Santi Cazorla is leaving. I think we all knew this was going to happen for some time. After being forced to sit out for near 20 months (and counting), the Spanish magician has seen his contract out and, given that he hasn’t played in over a season and a half, it makes sense.

And yet people are freaking out about this as if it is some big, breaking news. It isn’t. Nor is this going to affect the team in any way other than emotionally.

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We all love Cazorla. It’s impossible not to. His smile was contagious and that gruesome injury literally could not have happened to anyone less deserving. He just loved the game and he was always a lift for this club whenever he was on the pitch.

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There is no taking that away from him.

However, what we can take away from him is any hint of a future impact. This is a club that needs to cut ties. They need to reassess what they are doing and shake things up. That involves cutting any dead weight; a cleansing process that began back in January with a lot of long-time Gunners being sent packing.

Cazorla will just be the latest in that string. And in his stead, someone will come in that is younger, in better condition and ready to make a difference on a team that needs difference makers.

The emotional attachment to some players is hard to sever, and that is the primary link that is holding Cazorla so near and dear at this stage. But as the club has been showing us recently, it’s time to leave the emotional baggage behind, because that’s what got us into the predicament we are currently in.

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Instead of maligning that Cazorla is leaving, look forward to the better, faster, younger talent that is going to come in in his stead. He hasn’t had a part to play in the team for nearly two years, so any addition in his stead is going to be a bonus.