Few expected Santi Cazorla to play again after the ankle injury ruined his last two years at Arsenal, especially after revealing doctors feared he might lose his foot.
But, determined that his career would not end that way, Cazorla returned to the pitch for Villarreal 668 days after sustaining the first injury, a moment he says made the suffering worthwhile.
“I will speak with Mikel or with someone from the club”
Cazorla’s contract with Arsenal ended the same summer Unai Emery arrived and he was released.
Villarreal offered him a contract, which he gladly accepted, and he played there for two years, tallying an impressive 24 goals and 24 assists in 92 games.
Now Cazorla, who turns 38 in December, plays for Al-Saad where he has 32 goals and 30 assists in 74 games and he is starting to think about what comes after playing.
“I have to start thinking about it,” Cazorla said, this season set to be his last in Qatar.
” I do not know if [that will be] as coach, second coach [assistant manager] or athletic director.
“My dream was to play more and more years for [Arsenal].
“Of course I would love to come back,” he added. “I have to wait if the club thinks of me, if I can help with anything – as a coach or sporting director.”
Obviously, the sporting director is absent as Arsenal recently appointed Edu to the role for the first time in the club’s history.
Cazorla then opened up about her relationship with Mikel Arteta.
“When I arrived at Arsenal, I didn’t speak English, nothing!” said Cazorla.
“I remember the first day he was there to welcome me and after that he was very important every day.
“[He is] One of the best friends I have in football.
“It was the best moment of my career, I love everything about the club. I miss everything.
“When I have the idea of retiring, I will speak with Mikel or with someone from the club.”
It’s not the first time Cazorla has spoken of wanting to coach at Arsenal. In 2019 he also said: “When you’re at a big club like Arsenal sometimes you don’t realize what it means to be there until you’re gone.
“I never got to say goodbye. They were the greatest team I played for in my career and I miss everything about Arsenal.
“I don’t know what my legacy is there, you would have to ask the fans, but I want to say thank you to them all. I would love to play one last time at the Emirates before I retire.
“I don’t know what I’ll do after – maybe coaching, maybe sporting director – but I would like to return to Arsenal. I lived in London for six years. My son loved it there. In the future, we will see if I have the possibility.
Cazorla spent six years with Arsenal, making 180 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists.
More than goals and assists, he was adored by all.
I can’t think of an Arsenal fan who wouldn’t love to see him back at the club.
Santi Cazorla: If Wenger had stayed, I might have
Santi Cazorla: I would like to come back to Arsenal after my playing career
Santi Cazorla: The Arsenal supporters were second to none and meant so much to me
Few expected Santi Cazorla to play again after the ankle injury ruined his last two years at Arsenal, especially after revealing doctors feared he might lose his foot.
But, determined that his career would not end that way, Cazorla returned to the pitch for Villarreal 668 days after sustaining the first injury, a moment he says made the suffering worthwhile.
“I will speak with Mikel or with someone from the club”
Cazorla’s contract with Arsenal ended the same summer Unai Emery arrived and he was released.
Villarreal offered him a contract, which he gladly accepted, and he played there for two years, tallying an impressive 24 goals and 24 assists in 92 games.
Now Cazorla, who turns 38 in December, plays for Al-Saad where he has 32 goals and 30 assists in 74 games and he is starting to think about what comes after playing.
“I have to start thinking about it,” Cazorla said, this season set to be his last in Qatar.
” I do not know if [that will be] as coach, second coach [assistant manager] or athletic director.
“My dream was to play more and more years for [Arsenal].
“Of course I would love to come back,” he added. “I have to wait if the club thinks of me, if I can help with anything – as a coach or sporting director.”
Obviously, the sporting director is absent as Arsenal recently appointed Edu to the role for the first time in the club’s history.
Cazorla then opened up about her relationship with Mikel Arteta.
“When I arrived at Arsenal, I didn’t speak English, nothing!” said Cazorla.
“I remember the first day he was there to welcome me and after that he was very important every day.
“[He is] One of the best friends I have in football.
“It was the best moment of my career, I love everything about the club. I miss everything.
“When I have the idea of retiring, I will speak with Mikel or with someone from the club.”
It’s not the first time Cazorla has spoken of wanting to coach at Arsenal. In 2019 he also said: “When you’re at a big club like Arsenal sometimes you don’t realize what it means to be there until you’re gone.
“I never got to say goodbye. They were the greatest team I played for in my career and I miss everything about Arsenal.
“I don’t know what my legacy is there, you would have to ask the fans, but I want to say thank you to them all. I would love to play one last time at the Emirates before I retire.
“I don’t know what I’ll do after – maybe coaching, maybe sporting director – but I would like to return to Arsenal. I lived in London for six years. My son loved it there. In the future, we will see if I have the possibility.
Cazorla spent six years with Arsenal, making 180 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists.
More than goals and assists, he was adored by all.
I can’t think of an Arsenal fan who wouldn’t love to see him back at the club.
Santi Cazorla: If Wenger had stayed, I might have
Santi Cazorla: I would like to come back to Arsenal after my playing career
Santi Cazorla: The Arsenal supporters were second to none and meant so much to me