Arsenal: A wishlist for the 2020/21 season

A Santi Cazorla encore

I still remember the scrumptious assist Santi Cazorla delivered to Mesut Ozil in the 2016 Champions League game against Ludogorets. While Ozil would add some serious magic before scoring the goal, none of the Arsenal fans would know that it would be Cazorla’s last kick in an Arsenal shirt before a horrifying Achilles tendon injury which would almost derail his career.

Since that debacle, Cazorla returned to Spain with Villareal and has managed to clock 75 appearances across the 2018-19 and current season. He has also contributed 19 goals and 18 assists during this stretch. What makes all of this more heartening is that he has played 5000+ minutes across the two seasons.

Now, with Arsenal and Cazorla mulling over a possible farewell match and Cazorla’s contract with Villareal coming to an end this season, Arsenal could do more than just a one-off testimonial match. Arsenal could offer Cazorla a one or two-year contract and leverage him to settle the midfield. Throughout his time at Arsenal, Cazorla has been a wily customer, controlling the midfield skilfully. Simply look at Arsenal’s game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium during the 2014-15 season to truly see what he brings to the table.

Even if he is not able to play a large number of minutes, Arteta would be able to use Cazorla to groom the younger midfielders at the club and his presence in the dressing room would hardly be detrimental. It would be a superb swansong for both Cazorla and those that consider him part of Gunners folklore.