Santi Cazorla wants to continue playing in a central role for Arsenal.
The 30-year-old Spaniard believes he gets more space in the centre of the park to fashion chances for his team-mates and score goals, and wants to continue doing so after impressing in the role in recent weeks.
Cazorla started the season off out wide for Arsene Wenger, but has been deployed in the centre recently where he has flourished for the Gunners.
Since the start of December, the creative midfielder has scored four goals and created two, and he says his new found role in the team has enabled him to have more impact on the games:
‘I have more space [in the middle], more possibilities to score and assist, and I like this position very much. I always can help the team and I love when I play in the middle.
‘I want to continue to play at this level for the rest of the season. I always want to help the team with goals.
‘I hope to score more until the end of the season. It’s very important for me and the team.’
But while Cazorla would love to play in the centre for the remainder of the season, his chances of doing have been given a blow by the return of Mesut Ozil.
So with Ozil back in the picture, should Wenger stick with Cazorla in the centre of midfield? Well it depends how the Frenchman wants to play it really.
Cazorla performs better in a central role than out on the wing, and the same can be said for Ozil.
However, Wenger plays with three midfielders in the centre and two out wide, so potentially, both Ozil and Cazorla can sit in front of the holding midfielder if the Frenchman wishes it so. But Wenger likes balance in his side, so seeing both the German and Spaniard in the centre is hard to imagine. Plus, he also has the likes of Aaron Ramsey to think about and accommodate for.
For me, Ozil possesses superior vision, technical ability and passing range than Cazorla, and his assist record is also a lot greater than the Spaniard. And for these reasons alone, I would like to see Ozil in the centre of the park rather than Cazorla.
It is a difficult decision for Wenger to make, but he could play them both where they want and become a more potent side. However, it looks highly unlikely and, as a result, Wenger will probably just rotate the two between the two positions, playing one out wide and the other central one week, and switch it round the following week.
“For me, Ozil possesses superior vision, technical ability and passing range than Cazorla, and his assist record is also a lot greater than the Spaniard. And for these reasons alone, I would like to see Ozil in the centre of the park rather than Cazorla.”
For me too! Mesut has precious qualities: anticipation, quickness of decision, cleverness, technic. I don’t say Cazorla doesn’t share them, but not at Mesut’s level anyway. Last season they both played together. Why not going on even if i do prefer the rotation too.
Maybe Wilshere’s return will decide it all as Wenger seems to favorise him, no matter what, as n°10…
When we only had a first team, we “didn’t have strength in depth”. Now we have two quality players in similar positions, it’s a dilema.
Mesut Ozil is just about the best in the world in that position.
Cazorla all day for me ozil not suited for epl
cazorla for me but I will loke to see both play in the middle ramsey can bench just need a top quality DM to see that happening
Give him a rest
For me both they have to play together.
Ozil in the centre of the park and Cazorla play out the park.