Arsenal: 3 reasons to love permanent deal for Dani Ceballos

1. He can be the new Santi Cazorla

Arsenal still have not replaced Santi Cazorla. The diminutive Spaniard, like Ceballos, started in a more offensive-minded midfield role, oftentimes playing out wide in a free-roaming, inside-drifting wing position. But as he settled into his career, and especially at Arsenal, he slipped deeper into midfield, eventually becoming a press-releasing dribbler and distributor.

This was where he was at his most brilliant. His close control and dribbling meant he was near-impossible to dispossess. His awareness allowed him to receive the ball at angles that levered him away from defenders into space. The two-footedness freed up his distribution off both flanks, meaning he could release passes quickly, without taking extra touches and seconds to move the play forward.

Arsenal have not a press-releasing midfielder ever since Cazorla suffered that horrific ankle injury in late 2016. Ceballos is not the same player. He does not have the two-footedness of Cazorla, for instance. But he does possess many of the same qualities that allow him to play a similar role. His first touch is superb. He is an excellent passer. He spins and twists his way clear of defenders and into space, meaning he is very difficult to press.

For many years, Arsenal have been very easy to press. And it has put them into trouble time and again. But with Ceballos in the heart of the midfield, they now have a player who they can trust to get them out of trouble. And that is worth paying for.