Santi Cazorla scored a goal, created a goal and was generally at the top of his game.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has moved to specifically praise playmaker Santi Cazorla following his side’s shock 2-0 victory away at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, report the Mirror, following a game in which the diminutive Spaniard scored the opening goal from the penalty spot and created the second with a glorious set piece delivery.
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Wenger suggested that Cazorla has been “superb” for some time now, but the former Malaga man took his performances to a new level at the Etihad Stadium as he showed the creativity and the determination to help the Gunners control the midfield against a City side who desperately missed Yaya Toure.
The fact that record signing Mesut Ozil has now returned from injury and will be battling for Cazorla’s role as the side’s number ten means that performances such as this one will be required for Cazorla to keep his place, but both his display and Wenger’s comments will be seen as positives for the Spaniard.
Speaking after the match, that saw his side end their recent hoodoo against fellow top four contenders, Wenger said of Cazorla:
“Santi Cazorla has been superb for a while now but today he was maybe even more influential.”