How Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla tormented Fulham

Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla celebrates with teammate Nacho Monreal

Against Fulham, Santi Cazorla recaptured the form that made him Arsenal’s Player of the Year in 2012/13.

Since the middle of last season, Cazorla has been deployed in a starting position on the left wing. However, Arsenal’s attack has been a fluid carousel recently, meaning the Spaniard is given freedom to roam, as demonstrated by his Heat Map against Fulham:

That positional freedom allows Cazorla to drift infield and shoot at goal. Last season, he reached double figures for the Gunners. However, prior to the Fulham match he had just one Premier League goal in 2013/14. His match-winning brace at the weekend suggest he has finally rediscovered his range.

Cazorla scored with two of his five attempts on goal.

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Although he found the same corner with both scoring efforts, he actually struck the shots with different feet. His two-footedness is a huge advantage, as it means defenders are never truly able to show him on to his ‘wrong side’.

Cazorla’s passing was every bit as accurate as his shooting. He attempted 86 passes against Fulham, connecting with 80. That’s a staggering 93% success rate.

Santiago Cazorla Passes vs Fulham (93% Pass Success)

Cazorla’s intricate interplay with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere allowed Arsenal to wear the Cottagers down. The fizzed passes and continual rotation is exhausting for opposition defenders, and Cazorla is integral to that attractive style.

Although Cazorla is renowned primarily for his creativity, his value to the team extends beyond his attacking capabilities. He is also a responsible midfielder, willing to track back and assist with the defensive side of the game.

Cazorla is not much of a tackler, but he does have the intelligence and the energy to hound opponents effectively. He is not a natural defender, but does his duty doggedly. Against Fulham, he made four separate interceptions.

That willingness to help regain possession is the main reason Arsene Wenger favours Cazorla over Lukas Podolski in the left-wing spot.

The German is generally regarded as the better finisher, but yesterday’s strikes showed that Cazorla is also capable of being an effective goalscorer. Cazorla now has three goals in his last three games. If Arsenal’s title challenge is to maintain momentum, his upsurge in form must continue.