Santi Cazorla reveals why he's been playing that much better this season

Cazorla has flourished in his deep-lying midfield role

SANTI CAZORLA has praised manager Arsene Wenger for moving him into the middle of midfield and making him a better player at Arsenal.

 

Cazorla played all but one of Arsenal’s Premier League games last year, garnering seven goals and 11 assists.

This season he has yet to get on the scoresheet, but he is more than happy with his deeper role in the Gunners’ midfield.

“The boss changed my position last season to play me more centrally,” he told Arsenal.com.

 

“It’s a position I really like, though of course it means I’m further away from the opposing area so I have fewer chances to score. I’m finding my best form and I’m really enjoying the new position.”

Cazorla will be asked to play an even bigger role when Arsenal travel to Swansea without a number of first team players, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott both limped off early on against Sheffield Wednesday during the week.

The two England internationals take the injury list to eight, leaving Wenger short of bodies, especially on the right hand side, and even considering recalling Serge Gnabry from West Brom.

 

Cazorla's new position sees him doing more tackling than shooting

The tempation may be to shift Cazorla back to the flank, but the Spaniard believes he is far more valuable enable others to do the attacking.

“You have different responsibilities [in central midfield],” Cazorla added. 

“In terms of defence, you have to defend more and you have to help the team more in terms of making sure you’re well-positioned to ensure the players in attack can stay fresh.”

 

“We need the likes of Mesut, Alexis, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott and Giroud to be fresh - so that means myself, Coquelin, Arteta and Flamini need to be well-positioned to ensure those in attack can perform as well as possible.”