3 – Santi Cazorla
At the start of last season you would’ve laughed if you heard Santi was battling to get into the starting squad, but that day has finally come.
Following the signings of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny in the space of six months, Wenger now has enough midfielders to field a starting XI if he fancied!
But the ultimate reality is that the little Spaniard will find it tough to worm his way into the team this year, with so many people battling for that same CDM role.
Aaron Ramsey already thrives in that position and the thought of him lining up alongside Xhaka gives me goosebumps, so Cazorla has it all to do on this tour to show Wenger he’s still got it.
The boss revealed in mid-week that both Cazorla and Wilshere were struggling in terms of fitness, and after a long-term spell on the sidelines it’s important we don’t rush him back.
It’ll be another good chance to see how he performs in the role he’s practically made his own in the last few years, and with players breathing down his neck there’s finally some pressure.
Some people see that as bad news, but in my opinion the thought of somebody taking your spot in the team will only push you to work even harder on the training ground.
With his fitness problems in mind, Wenger is likely to give Cazorla a rough 45 minutes in both games considering Wilshere is stating at home with a minor knock.
Santi didn’t feature in the 2-1 win over MLS Allstars but instead got a run out for the first half in which Arsenal comfortably beat Chivas 3-1, with Cazorla floating in the free-kick for Rob Holding’s opener.
This time around, and with no Mesut Ozil in the picture, he’ll get a chance to once again hold his own in the number 10 role, somewhere we could see him move into to rotate with the German.
At 31 he’s getting on a bit and it’ll be tough for him to keep up with the demands that the CDM role requires, constantly running back and forth to orchestrate an attack.
Wenger could push him on a bit this year and give him more of a free role in the number 10 slot, where Ozil often gets the chance to run back when needed, yet remaining as far forward as possible.
Say what you like about him on the pitch, but with his experience he’ll be an even more valuable asset in the changing room this season, boy have we missed seeing his little face!
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