Premier League Player of the Week: Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal took another step towards achieving their aim of winning the Premier League title for the first time in 10 years with a 2-0 win over Fulham. None of Arsenal’s current squad have won English football’s top-flight yet, though some have won titles in other countries. It is a nervy time for all concerned at the club and they need to keep winning. It sounds simple, but it certainly isn’t.

Fulham came to the Emirates on Saturday hoping to avoid another heavy defeat. They had conceded the most goals in the league before the match, with 46, and it was worse by 5pm.

Santi Cazorla‘s starring performance kept the Gunners one point ahead of the seemingly unstoppable Manchester City with 16 games remaining. The tricky Spaniard scored twice to win all three points for Arsenal in what was looking like a frustrating afternoon.

Fulham had to come the Emirates with one game plan: to not concede. They were implementing it well until midway through the second half when slick passing between Jack Wilshere and Cazorla opened up an opportunity inside the penalty area. The Spaniard had no problems guiding it into the bottom corner.

His second goal was equally as good. Receiving the ball 25-yards from goal he cracked a left-footed shot into the same corner he scored he first goal just five minutes earlier.

Cazorla was fantastic all afternoon for the Gunners, completing 93% of his passes. However, that wasn’t even one of the top five passing accuracies for the home side as their passing throughout the team was as crisp as it has been all season. Four players completed 80 or more passes in a dominant display. Jack Wilshere (95), Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Flamini (82) and Cazorla (80) were Arsenal’s most frequent passers.

Cazorla’s passing map vs. Fulham (93% Pass Success)

Possibly the best thing about his passing display was where the passes were played. The majority of Cazorla’s passes were close the final third of the pitch, causing many problems for the Fulham backline. He could so easily have passed backwards or tapped it around easily through midfield, but that’s what made his performance so good. To complete 80 passes in such a tight area of the field is incredibly difficult.

His Heat Map is just as impressive, as it shows exactly where he played the ball. He played in a very attacking role and often drifted inside from the left-hand side of the pitch, causing multiple problems.

Cazorla’s fantastic heat map

Cazorla scored with both of his shots, which was handy for Arsenal who were struggling to break down a determined Fulham side. His ingenuity and class shone through to lift Arsenal out of the mire and keep their status as Premier League leaders.

His ability on the ball was also showcased as he completed all four of his take-ons, drawing in one foul and creating five chances – more than anyone else. In fact, his four take-ons were the same amount that Fulham – as a team – completed, showing just how good he was in possession.

Cazorla’s dribbling ability is unquestionable

His Performance Score was the highest in the Premier League for his match-winning display. He scored a massive 158 points, 44 points ahead of Yohan Cabaye and 61 clear of Chelsea’s hat-trick hero Samuel Eto’o, proving just how good and effective he was against Fulham.

After a sublime performance that won all three points for the Gunners, Santi Cazorla is, rightfully, Squawka’s Premier League Player of the Week.