NRM Issue 7: Cazorla could unlock another invincible run

More often than not, the rumour mill is a tedious entity that tortures those who would spend their time picking over the rumours to decide what is truthful and what is falsified. This week, I am taking a refreshing step back from the rumours until further signings have been recorded.

Instead of my usual fare, I want to take a closer look at what football pundits are saying about Arsenal‘s chances next season; and which members of the current playing squad are going to be most valuable in the hunt for silverware. Who is going to be the driving force – is it Arsène Wenger, Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny or maybe even the youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Okay, Ox may be a bit of a stretch; but whoever it is, my heart is telling me that the Gunners are nearing a turning point for the better.

We begin with the newest addition to Sky Sports’ list of football pundits, Jamie Carragher, who recently released a few questionable statements concerning Arsenal’s mentality and attitude that he believes must change for the 2013/14 season. Coming from a former Liverpool player, whilst his football career credentials may be impressive, some of his statements may put a sour taste in the mouths of Gunners supporters. Carragher explained on Sky Sports:

“It’s been going on for so long now and it’s been the same every year. They qualify for the Champions League and go out in the last 16 and fight to the end of the season to get in the top four. I’m sure the supporters would love to see them in Cup Finals and semi-finals. I think that’s what they need to do.”

If Arsenal do not take exception to that statement however true it may or may not be, the following statements may be the real kicker. This summer Arsène has certainly been given more freedom in the signing department; however, the Frenchman has seen numerous shots to his managerial knowledge with a few signings over the years.

In recent squads Abou Diaby, Sebastian Squillaci, Andrey Arshavin, Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are a few names that brought criticism, but the criticism is unfair. Was Sir Alex Ferguson thrown under the bus by the football world when Eric Djemba-Djemba appeared for Manchester United or when Juan Sebastian Veron or Diego Forlan were practically flops for United? Absolutely not.

Just as Manchester United never replaced Roy Keane, or Liverpool will struggle to replace Steven Gerrard when his career comes to an end, Arsenal have had their own struggles with replacing players like Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry. As Carragher continued with his statements:

“They’ve lost certain types of players and characters that they had in the past. They haven’t replaced the spine of the team that they had […] It is a lot more difficult for Arsenal than it has been in the past, but that’s the modern game and they have to deal with it – and I’m sure they’ll be looking to get big, strong powerful players into the team.”

Bravo Carragher, bravo. Although the newly appointed Sky Sports pundit’s statements may be seen as ludicrous by some, it has been difficult to replace former stars in Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Robin van Persie. But now, with a settled team and no significant departures Wenger is able to target players like Higuain, Fellaini, and other “big” names on the market. If he can secure any of those players this summer to add to his settled squad, then the sky’s the limit for Arsenal.

In the midst of the plethora of transfer rumours, we seem to be looking for the signing that Arsenal will try to build a championship winning team around. However, maybe the man to build a dynasty around is already in the squad. Arsenal want to get back to the quality of the “Invincible Years” and the player to build around to achieve that could very well be Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard came to the Premier League from Malaga, unnoticed by many, and took the English league by storm, displaying his iron will to win, his magical feet and matching smile in the process.

Although his physical stature is much smaller than Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira, who both graced Arsenal’s midfield, his technical ability is a presence as big as any. Cazorla’s instrumental passes that tear-up defences, his quick feet and brain and his close ball control allows him to stand up to any physical presence. As his play will likely continue to grow to unprecedented levels under Wenger’s tutelage, he is a key component that links the established defence of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, to that of the forwards of Walcott, Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

In my mind, there is no question of Cazorla’s importance to Arsenal. His commitment to bettering not only himself, but Arsenal as a club, is astonishing as he’s only been with Arsenal only for a year. The uncanny professionalism from a once little known Spanish talent has taken the football world by storm through brilliant partnerships he’s begun to form and lasting relationships that could eventually lead to a legendary career at the Emirates.

We can also shift our focus to Jack Wilshere. The Englishman has shown fans flashes of his brilliance, but more often than not the youngster makes a rash challenge or mistake in his defensive duties. What he does have is pure talent – a type of talent that cannot be taught. His command in the middle of the park is, at times, breathtaking, both for the Gunners and England. Even though the 21-year-old missed a few matches with injury, along with recently undergoing ankle surgery at the end of the season, he should be primed and ready for pre-season.

As Arsenal’s pre-season is set to begin on July 4th, Wilshere should complete a full recovery by that time, and ready himself for an enormous season ahead. Arsenal will look towards Wilshere to create a bit of magic in midfield and England’s Roy Hodgson will also keep a close eye on the youngster in preparation for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

While Cazorla and Wilshere will be crucial parts in Arsenal’s push towards retaining silverware both domestically and in Europe next season, former Arsenal captain Tony Adams recently hailed Koscielny and Mertesacker’s partnership as the most pivotal to Arsenal’s success now and in the future. Conceding only an astonishing four goals in ten matches when featured alongside one another, the Frenchman and German have created a center-back partnership that deserves plenty of praise. Adams explained:

“It’s the only position where you need familiarity. You need to play with your mate on a regular basis to gain confidence and I think that really worked for Arsenal defensively […] I used to play with Steve Bould. We used to play zonal defence.”

The times of Bould and Adams are long gone, but the confidence that Mertesacker and Koscielny have alongside one another is a promising start towards taking a step in the right direction. In football, it’s all about confidence and maintaining poise on and off the ball throughout the entirety of the match. As the German ages, he relates more to a zonal defensive strategy while the younger Frenchman is able to play man-to-man, allowing both to be an effective duo. Especially during the home stretch, as Arsenal were searching for another consecutive Champions League qualification, the tandem was instrumental in staving off any threats. And we all know that Koscielny provided a crucial goal to make those dreams a reality.

Say what you’d like, but Arsenal are on the up – I feel it. Spending excessive amounts on one player may be frowned upon. However, Higuain and Fellaini could potentially fit the bill at Arsenal exceptionally well. With wage demands at an all-time high there also comes plenty of expectations on the trophy end and while Wenger is an accomplished manager, it all comes down to “What have you done for me lately?”. To answer that in simple terms, Wenger has created a squad full of potential and with a few more players to complete the puzzle Arsenal may just climb to the top of European football.