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Santi Cazorla - Player of the Week

Santi Cazorla - Player of the Week

How did Arsenal play?

Cazorla and Giroud scored the goals to beat City.Santi Cazorla was man of the match as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 to collect their first win at the Etihad since 2010. Arsenal played a defensively fantastic match and played a very different game from their normallly open, attacking style. Maybe thinking about their 6-3 defeat to City last season, Arsenal started the match very cautiously, with a lot of players behind the ball, and tried to hit City on the counter-attack. This tactic worked perfectly and City, including Sergio Aguero making his first full appearance for over a month, were limited to a few half-chances. 

"Cazorla is fantastic because he gets outs of pressure in tight situations." Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager.

Who scored Arsenal's goals?

Cazorla scores for Arsenal.In the 24th minute, Nacho Monreal played a one-two with Olivier Giroud and Monreal was fouled by Vincent Kompany to concede a penalty. Cazorla stepped up and hit the ball hard and low to the goalkeeper's right, Joe Hart dived the right way but couldn't get a glove on Cazorla's perfectly placed penalty to give the Spaniard his fifth Premier League goal of the season. In the second-half, Cazorla put a free-kick into the box and Giroud was left unmarked to head home and clinch the win for the team from London. It was Arsenal's first win against either City, Manchester United or Chelsea in 17 matches!

"Cazorla? He's so good I don't know which is his better foot."  Arsene Wenger

What do we know about Santi Cazorla?

Santiago "Santi" Cazorla Gonzalez was born in December 1984, and is from Llanera, which is a small town in the region of Asturias in the north of Spain. As a youth player, he played for his local team, Real Oviedo, but Real Oviedo had some financial problems and Cazorla signed for Villareal in the Valencia region of Spain. Cazorla progressed through the reserves with Villareal and made his full debut in 2003. He made more than 50 appearances over 3 seasons for Villareal before signing for Recreativo Huelva.

"I want titles and that is why I came to Arsenal." Santi Cazorla

In 2006/2007, Cazorla helped Huelva to their highest ever finish in the Spanish top division (8th) and, because of a clause in Cazorla's contract, Villareal were allowed to re-sign him. The following season, he helped Villareal to their highest ever finish (2nd) and had 3 more successful seaons with Villareal before signing for Malaga. He helped Malaga qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history, before signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2012.

What has Cazorla achieved at Arsenal?

Cazorla shares a selfie with Nacho MonrealIn his first season with the club, Cazorla was named Arsenal's Player of the Season and was the only Arsenal player to play in every Premier League game of the 2012/13 season. He ended the season with 12 goals and 14 assists. In 2013/14, Cazorla helped Arsenal qualify for the Champions League for an amazing 15th consecutive season, which no other English club has achieved and only Real Madrid, in Spain, can beat. Cazorla was also one of the heroes when Arsenal won their first trophy for 9 years, after beating Hull City 3-2 after extra-time to win the FA Cup. Cazorla scored the first Arsenal goal in the Final as Arsenal came from 2-0 behind to win the trophy. Cazorla is also a regular in the Spanish squad, he won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, but was injured when Spain won the World Cup in 2010. 

"Arsenal has everything to win. History, infrastructure, an incredible stadium and great players." Santi Cazorla

Where does Cazorla play?

Cazorla celebrates FA Cup winCazorla is an attacking midfielder or winger, who likes to cut inside from his normal position on the left of the pitch. He is well-known for his accurate shooting and his creativity. Cazorla will be part of one of the most attacking midfields in the Premier League this season, with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil and new record-signing Alexis Sanchez all in the Arsenal squad. Arsenal should have no problems creating opportunities with these players in the team, but do they have the goal scorers to take the chances that the midfield players create?

Cazorla celebrates after scoring a fantastic free-kick in the FA Cup Final, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?
Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

Put the words together as quick as you can.
Activity 2: Have a go at this game against the clock. Can you put the words in the right order?

 


 

Did you know......?

  • Cazorla's teammates at Villareal called him 'Our Ronaldinho' because of his skill with the football. 
  • Cazorla, together with Man Utd's Juan Mata and Swansea City's Michu bought shares in hometown club 'Real Oviedo' to stop them going out of business.
  • In 2012/13, Cazorla reached double figures in both goals and assists.
  • Cazorla is the first Spanish player to score in an FA Cup Final.
  • Arsenal have won the Community Shield 13 times! Only Manchester United have won it more often.
Arsenal won teh Community Shield against City in August..

Quiz

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What do you think?

Is Santi Cazorla be the star midfielder for Arsenal this season?

Do Arsenal have the strongest midfield in the Premier League?

Can Cazorla get into the Spanish national team?

Where will Arsenal finish this season?

 

Leave a message in the comments section below :)

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
27/11/2022
TR
5552
points

Sentences
• They didn't find more positions to score.They were limited to a few half-chances.
Footbal phrase suggestion: “In contest”
• A new statistic applied by FIFA to describe the ball is out of control of both teams possession during the match. It's seen on the screen during World Cup 2022 matches.


hsn's picture
hsn
27/11/2022 15:02
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5552

Sentences
• They didn't find more positions to score.They were limited to a few half-chances.
Footbal phrase suggestion: “In contest”
• A new statistic applied by FIFA to describe the ball is out of control of both teams possession during the match. It's seen on the screen during World Cup 2022 matches.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
14/06/2021
BR
1512
points

Arsenal is becoming more and more famous developing new talents, but not for bringing star players. Which is why they don't have the strongest midfield in the PL in my oppinion.
I hope Arsenal are able to regain their leading position in the PL and international tournaments as they did in the past.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
14/06/2021 22:47
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

Arsenal is becoming more and more famous developing new talents, but not for bringing star players. Which is why they don't have the strongest midfield in the PL in my oppinion.
I hope Arsenal are able to regain their leading position in the PL and international tournaments as they did in the past.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
22/06/2020
TR
6536
points

Santi Cazorla was a wonderful player at Arsenal but unfortunately injuries ended up his career early.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
22/06/2020 00:39
Turkey
Manchester United
6536

Santi Cazorla was a wonderful player at Arsenal but unfortunately injuries ended up his career early.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016
TR
1761
points

I suppose Arsenal will finish 3rd this season.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016 23:13
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

I suppose Arsenal will finish 3rd this season.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016
TR
1761
points

I am not sure in order to get into the Spanish national team he has to study very hard.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016 23:12
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

I am not sure in order to get into the Spanish national team he has to study very hard.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016
TR
1761
points

No,they don't have.I believe the team which has the strongest midfield in the Premier League is Manchester City.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016 23:11
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

No,they don't have.I believe the team which has the strongest midfield in the Premier League is Manchester City.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,he will be he is also very successful.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
17/03/2016 23:09
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,he will be he is also very successful.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
04/12/2015
ME
3557
points

Arsenal could win the PL if they deal with their biggest enemy - injuries! How is it possible that every month we have 2-3 injured players? AFC is breaking records every year with the number of injured players..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
04/12/2015 17:42
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Arsenal could win the PL if they deal with their biggest enemy - injuries! How is it possible that every month we have 2-3 injured players? AFC is breaking records every year with the number of injured players..

nikosonris
13/11/2015
UA
2453
points

Good tactics for this match, but I prefer their typical attack-oriented style, which is much appreciated by lots of fans around the globe. Go Gunners!


nikosonris
13/11/2015 13:52
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

Good tactics for this match, but I prefer their typical attack-oriented style, which is much appreciated by lots of fans around the globe. Go Gunners!

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
03/11/2015
ME
3557
points

They have the strongest midfield in the PL. Santi should play for the national team.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
03/11/2015 09:00
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

They have the strongest midfield in the PL. Santi should play for the national team.

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
25/10/2015
BR
1339
points

UFFFF! DIFFICULT.


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
25/10/2015 00:04
Brazil
Chelsea
1339

UFFFF! DIFFICULT.

Abdallah
28/09/2015
KW
1814
points

Normal player and bad team


Abdallah
28/09/2015 21:37
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

Normal player and bad team

raulito's picture
raulito
15/08/2014
PE
0
points

Arsenal have a great midfield for this season,but they won't win the premier league


raulito's picture
raulito
15/08/2014 01:57
Peru
Chelsea
0

Arsenal have a great midfield for this season,but they won't win the premier league

Rich's picture
Rich
15/08/2014
ES
594
points

If you don't think Arsenal will win the Premier League, then you must think it'll be Liverpool :) :)


Rich's picture
Rich
15/08/2014 09:57
Spain
Liverpool
594

If you don't think Arsenal will win the Premier League, then you must think it'll be Liverpool :) :)

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Goals

In this article, you will:

Practise reading.

Learn all about Arsenal's Spanish star, Santi Cazorla, and learn some new vocabulary.

Tips

Recording Vocabulary

How do you keep a record of new vocabulary? There are some great apps you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Evernote is a fantastic tool for storing and categorising vocabulary.
  • Anki is another great tool - you can use it to create flash cards and then test yourself.