Ex-Arsenal Man: I Will Speak To Arteta About Potential Return

Santi Cazorla wants to return to the Emirates…

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has admitted that he wants to return to the club in some capacity once his playing career ends, the Spaniard told the Daily Mail.

Cazorla left the club the same summer as Arsene Wenger’s exit following a horrific run of injuries surrounding an achilles problem which required multiple surgeries.

The Spaniard returned to full fitness during the finals weeks of the 2017/18 season and the expectation was that he would sign a contract extension – especially when rumours surrounding the imminent arrival of Mikel Arteta were swirling.

However, fate took us in the direction of Unai Emery and Cazorla moved on, going back to his beloved Villarreal and proving he still has what it takes at the top level.

Fast forward a few years and ‘Santi’ is enjoying his football in Qatar and, at the age of 38, is looking at his post-playing career options.

“Of course, I would like to come back,” the former Spanish international was quoted as saying.

“I have to wait if the club thinks about me if I can help in something – as a coach or a sporting director.”

When Cazorla arrived in 2012, the only Spaniard in the squad was Arteta who was recently appointed as the club’s vice-captain, though he would essentially assume the role full-time following Thomas Vermaelen’s demotion to the bench.

Arsenal’s former diminutive playmaker cherishes the days Arteta helped him settle in.

“I remember on the first day he was there to welcome me and after that, he was very important every day. They helped my family so much so I want to say: Mikel, thank you.”

“We stayed together at home, also when Nacho Monreal came to Arsenal, we watched LaLiga,” Cazorla explained.

“I saw a lot of games with (Arteta) when we were injured.”

“I started to see that he wanted to be a coach.’ How? ‘He analysed everything. He stopped the match and asked me: ‘What did you see? Did you see this game? What we can change, what we can improve?”