Football
ESPN staff 9y

Santi Cazorla, Arsenal Premier League Rank, No. 14

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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.

Beginning May 25, ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.

Why Santi Cazorla makes the list

"You watch Santi play and you think he is not a player who is built for the Premier League, but he has proved that is wrong. He is a fantastic example to show that it is not about how tall you are; it is how good you are." The words of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as he summed up the qualities of the Spain midfielder who has emerged as a shining light of Arsenal's revival in 2015, with his goals and invention at the heart of a run of results that have propelled the club toward another lofty Premier League finish.

Cazorla's place in the Arsenal side was very much in doubt in a high-quality squad that features a host of stars pushing to oust him from the lineup, but he has confirmed his status as a first-choice performer in a central role and Wenger has indicated that is where he will stay. "He does not always get so involved in the wide positions," said the Arsenal manager. "His best place in the middle where he can get the most time on the ball. He has been exceptional for us this season, but we should not be surprised. He is an exceptional player."
-- Kevin Palmer

The stats that tell the story

- Ranked second in the league with 11 assists this season, and his 19 assists over the past two seasons are the most in the league.
- Only Cesc Fabregas completed more passes than Cazorla this season, and only Fabregas and Burnley's Kieran Trippier had more touches.

What the experts say

"Santi Cazorla is fun. On the pitch he's a joy to watch, and off it there's a charm to the Spaniard that's impossible not to warm to." -- Andrew Mangan, February 2015.

"Deployed in a deeper role alongside Flamini, Cazorla was still able to orchestrate the majority of Arsenal's attacks. His incisive pass played a crucial role in the build-up to the first goal, and most of Arsenal's better football went through his sparkling feet." -- James McNicholas, February 2015.

"As the outstanding Cazorla bent in a free kick, Olivier Giroud escaped Fernando to glance in a header in the 67th minute. But whereas frailer Arsenal sides would have cracked under the subsequent pressure, this one maintained its shape and poise." -- Richard Jolly, January 2015.


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