Player Focus: Cazorla's Return to the Number 10 Role Benefitting Arsenal

Arsenal were dealt a huge blow last week as manager Arsène Wenger confirmed midfielder Aaron Ramsey would miss the festive period due to a hamstring injury. The news followed what was a blistering 45-minute performance by the 23-year-old in the 4-1 win over Galatasaray. The Welshman bagged a brace - one goal of which was that superb 30-yard drive - and provided the assist for Lukas Podolski’s opener. The timing of his hamstring problem is far from ideal for both the player and club. Ramsey had recently shown signs that he was returning to his best form and his latest injury is yet another speedbump in what has been a stop-start season for the Wales international. 

One player rested for the win in Istanbul, however, was the diminutive Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard has shone for the Gunners of late in light of a slew of injuries to key players. Something of an offensive utility man, Cazorla has now been given the chance to stake a claim for a regular starting spot in his favoured number 10 role having started there just 3 times in the Premier League last term. Naturally, following the big-money acquisition of Mesut Özil, the onus was on Wenger to play the German in his favoured central position. 

This saw Cazorla largely feature on the right or left of the offensive triumvirate in the 4-2-3-1 formation Arsenal started in all 38 league games last season. While he performed admirably in either role - his WhoScored rating (7.46) reflects this - a lack of continuity in behind the striker lessened his impact. A majority of Cazorla’s Premier League appearances in his debut campaign came in the number 10 role in a season where he netted 12 goals and provided 11 assists. 

While injuries have plagued Arsenal this term, Cazorla has been one to thrive as a result. Recently, the Gunners have reverted to a more familiar looking 4-2-3-1 formation and in the last 4 games, Cazorla has started in behind the striker. His return in that position has been promising, to say the least. Each of his 3 goals and 1 of his 2 league assists have come when deployed there, while his league rating (8.21) is the best of the 4 positions he has started Premier League games in this campaign. 

Furthermore, his top 3 highest rated performances have come when playing in a central position; against West Brom, Stoke and, most recently, Newcastle, in which he earned the WhoScored man of the match award.  While deployed behind the striker, the 30-year-old is given license to roam freely across the attack line, looking for pockets of space between the midfield and defence. 

In Cazorla’s 4 league starts in the number 10 role this term, either Alexis Sánchez or Danny Welbeck have started on the left. The summer arrivals, however, are not players who stick to the wing, instead preferring to drift inside, thus freeing up space on the left flank. This allows Cazorla to move to the wing and his movement means he is difficult to track. Midfielders are unsure whether to go with him or remain disciplined and anticipate the runs of either Alexis or Welbeck from the left. Not tracking Cazorla, though, could prove to be detrimental to the midfielder's team in question. Should Cazorla move to the wing and overlap on the outside, and the winger opts against cutting inside, there is a chance of the opposition right-back becoming overloaded.  

What aids Cazorla in these situations is that he is two-footed. Strong with both his left and right feet, defenders are unsure whether he will go to the byline and attempt to put in a cross for the striker or cut inside and go for goal himself, which adds to his unpredictability. With an average of 3.3 successful dribbles and 2.5 key passes per game in his 4 league appearances in the number 10 role this season, Cazorla is rediscovering his best form in the centre. 

Despite his advancing years and a series of subdued performances earlier this campaign, the Spaniard is returning to the form that rendered him such a threat for the Gunners in the 2012/13 season. The only concern is whether he can hold onto his place in the starting XI in his ideal position once Özil returns to full fitness. Judging by Cazorla’s recent form, however, Wenger has a tough decision to make over whether to keep the Spaniard in the number 10 role or shift him out wide in order to accommodate the club's record signing.

Do you think Santi Cazorla's recent form means he deserves to keep his starting place in the number 10 role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below