On August 7, 2012, Arsenal completed a transfer that would redefine their midfield for years: Santi Cazorla arrived from Malaga for €19 million, a fee that would soon be deemed a bargain. The diminutive Spanish playmaker, then 28, stepped into a Gunners side reeling from the departures of Cesc Fàbregas (2011) and Samir Nasri (2011), tasked with filling a creative void that had left fans yearning for inspiration. What followed was six seasons of technical brilliance, tactical adaptability, and unwavering resilience that etched Cazorla’s name into Arsenal folklore.
The Need: Arsenal’s Search for a Creative Fulcrum
By 2012, Arsenal’s midfield lacked a natural orchestrator. Fàbregas’ departure to Barcelona and Nasri’s move to Manchester City had stripped the team of its core playmakers, leaving Arsène Wenger scrambling to rebuild. Cazorla, fresh off a standout season at Malaga where he’d guided the club to a fourth-place La Liga finish and qualification for the Champions League, emerged as the ideal target. His ability to operate in tight spaces, thread pinpoint passes, and contribute goals made him a perfect fit for Wenger’s possession-based philosophy. Malaga’s financial struggles (they faced a UEFA ban over unpaid debts) accelerated the deal, allowing Arsenal to secure one of Spain’s most in-demand midfielders for a relatively modest sum .
Immediate Impact: A Seamless Transition to the Premier League
Cazorla’s Arsenal debut came on August 18, 2012, in a 0–0 draw with Sunderland, but it took little time for him to shine. By the end of his first season (2012–13), he’d scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year. His standout performance came in a 2–0 win over Liverpool on December 29, 2012, where he scored a stunning solo goal—dribbling past three defenders before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner—and orchestrated waves of attacks with a 92% pass completion rate .
What set Cazorla apart was his versatility. Wenger deployed him as a central midfielder, left winger, and even as a false nine, and he excelled in every role. His low center of gravity and quick feet made him untouchable in tight spaces, while his vision allowed him to switch play with precision. Teammate Mesut Özil later recalled: “Santi saw passes no one else did. You always knew he’d find you if you made the run” .
Trophy Joy: The 2014 FA Cup Triumph
After years of trophyless frustration, Cazorla played a pivotal role in ending Arsenal’s nine-year silverware drought at Wembley Stadium in 2014. In the FA Cup final against Hull City, he delivered a masterclass: dictating tempo with 87 passes (89% accuracy) and creating three clear chances, including the corner that led to Laurent Koscielny’s equalizer in a dramatic 3–2 comeback win . It was a moment of redemption for Arsenal, and Cazorla’s performance cemented his status as a fan favorite.
He later described the victory as “the happiest day of my Arsenal career” .
His influence only grew in subsequent seasons. In 2014–15, he scored 11 goals and added 15 assists, helping Arsenal retain the FA Cup with a 4–0 thrashing of Aston Villa. His ability to combine with Özil, Alexis Sánchez, and Aaron Ramsey formed the core of Arsenal’s most fluid attacking unit in years.
Battling Adversity: The Ankle Injury That Tested His Spirit
Tragedy struck in November 2016 when Cazorla suffered a severe ankle injury during a Champions League match against Ludogorets. What followed was a harrowing 18-month ordeal: 10 surgeries, infections that threatened his career, and a grueling rehabilitation process. Doctors even discussed amputating his foot at one point . Yet, his resilience mirrored his on-field tenacity. He returned to training in 2018, but the injury robbed him of his explosive pace, and he made just 7 appearances in his final season (2017–18) before leaving Arsenal.
Fans and teammates rallied around him. Wenger called him “one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever managed”, while former captain Mikel Arteta praised his “unbreakable mentality” . Even in decline, his impact was felt: his final Arsenal goal—a stunning free-kick against Newcastle in April 2018—sparked emotional scenes at the Emirates.
Legacy: More Than Stats, a Cult Hero
Cazorla’s Arsenal career ended with 44 goals and 53 assists in 204 appearances, but his legacy transcends numbers. He was the “magician” who made Arsenal’s midfield tick, a player whose technique and work rate embodied Wenger’s footballing ideals. His departure in 2018 left a void; Arsenal wouldn’t find a true creative successor until Martin Ødegaard’s arrival in 2021.
Post-Arsenal, Cazorla defied the odds by reviving his career at Villarreal, helping them win the 2021 Europa League, and later joining Qatari side Al Sadd. As of 2024, he works as a youth coach at Villarreal, passing on his wisdom to the next generation .
For Arsenal fans, Cazorla remains a symbol of grace under pressure—a player who turned a €19 million transfer into six years of joy, magic, and a long-awaited trophy. As one supporter put it: “He didn’t just play football; he painted with it. And the Emirates was his canvas.”
