Arsenal could sign their next Cazorla for £50m

After just eight minutes of the 2014 FA Cup final, Arsenal they found themselves 2-0 down to Hull City.

Wembley hasn’t really seen anything like this before. This was an opportunity for Arsene Wenger to finally end the Gunners’ trophy drought but their chances were evaporating before they had even had a sniff.

Fortunately, there was always something in the air when it came to Arsenal and the FA Cup. No club has won more than their 14th time and that special day at the national stadium showed why they have such a love affair with the big competition.

Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey fought back with an equalizer in the second half and then a winner in extra time but it was certain Santi Cazorla that started the comeback.

Putting a free-kick down from a considerable distance from the goal, he dropped a remarkable set-piece beyond Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

It was just one of the many magical moments Cazorla provided in Arsenal colours. It is a pity that his stay in north London ended in such traumatic circumstances.

Santi Cazorla’s time at Arsenal

The Spanish diminutive signed for the Gunners in August 2012 for just £15m. Yes, remember when transfer fees were so low?

It turns out that was one of the biggest bargains in the club’s history as Cazorla went on to provide some incredible goals and assists while at the Emirates Stadium.

Remember that hat-trick against Reading? Remember the corners on a weak leg? Remember that dazzling mazy run against Manchester City?

The Spain international is one of the most technically gifted footballers we have seen at Arsenal in the last 15 years, and boasts some of the quickest and most elegant feet the Emirates has seen.

Praised by Wenger for his qualities, Cazorla’s time at the Premier League hardly finished in fairytale fashion.

“He’s a pleasure to watch. It’s a pleasure to see what he’s done on the pitch. I hope every young footballer in England watches him.” – Wenger on Cazorla.

Afterwards 180 games, 29 goals and 44 assistshe left in 2018 at the end of his contract after a period of injury hell.

It was an extremely sad period in the career of someone as talented as the Spanish technician even that he said he may never walk again.

What was the matter? Also, Cazorla sprained his ankle and suffered knee ligament damage in November 2015 and played with increasing pain until October 2016 when he was withdrawn during a match against Ludogorets.

Wenger admitted it was not a “big injury” but the former Malaga star was never seen again in an Arsenal shirt. Why? Also, a terrible infection struck his right ankle that was not fixed until a skin graft was performed.

He calls himself a “jigsaw puzzle”Cazorla has a bit of his left arm on his right ankle, a piece of his thigh in place and the back of his leg in one heel. It is quite gruesome but remarkably it has now kept him playing until the age of 40 where he is with Real Oviedo.

So, although the Spanish star never got the Arsenal farewell he deserved, the club could bring Cazorla to the club next year…

Arsenal could sign Cazorla their next

At Christmas time reports emerged from Spain that Arsenal are on their way to sign Las Palmas midfielder Alberto Moleiro.

It is suggested that the Premier League outfit should already reached ‘agreement in principle’ to sign the 21-year-old after the Gunners made it clear they would pay his £50m release clause.

So, who is Moleiro and what can he bring to the club? Well, the clip below shows you everything you need to know about the young man’s qualities.

He is very much cut from the same cloth as Cazorla, who has quick feet and the ability to maneuver the ball and keep possession in tight spaces and when surrounded by opponents.

Described as an “agile, electric” talent. by Spanish football expert Neal Gardnerhe also calls the Spanish sensation “an excellent dribbler” to raise those Cazorla comparisons.

If that wasn’t enough then both can feature from the wings and from central areas, using their crafty skill set to beat defenders in multiple areas on the pitch.

Often appearing in the final third, Moleiro has the ability to score and assist on a frequent basis like Cazorla, they scored four goals this term and that he had a hand in eight goals last term despite his tender age (4 goals & 4 assists).

He may not yet be producing eye-popping numbers but he has an eye-catching toolset at his disposal, notably ranking in the top 17% of positionally similar players in LaLiga for attempted take-ons and top 14% for pass completion percentage (82.5%)a statistic that shows his flair and composure.

£50m sounds like a lot of money to spend on such a raw talent but the rave reviews are there, as is the experience of elite level football at such a young age.