Santi Cazorla

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This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Cazorla and the second or maternal family name is González.
Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla, 2012-08-18.jpg
Cazorla playing for Arsenal in 2012
Personal information
Full name Santiago Cazorla González
Date of birth (1984-12-13) 13 December 1984 (age 28)
Place of birth Llanera, Spain
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Playing position Winger / Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club Arsenal
Number 19
Youth career
1992–1996 Covadonga
1996–2003 Oviedo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2003–2004 Villarreal B 40 (4)
2003–2006 Villarreal 54 (2)
2006–2007 Recreativo 34 (5)
2007–2011 Villarreal 127 (23)
2011–2012 Málaga 38 (9)
2012– Arsenal 38 (12)
National team‡
2004–2006 Spain U21 7 (0)
2008– Spain 52 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:06, 19 May 2013 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 March 2013

Santiago "Santi" Cazorla González (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsanti kaˈθorla ɣonˈθaleθ]; born 13 December 1984) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League. A versatile and ambidextrous winger, Cazorla can play on either flank or as an attacking midfielder. He is noted for his speed, shooting accuracy, capacity to change the rhythm of gameplay[2] and excellent close control.[3]

After youth career spells with Covadonga and Oviedo, Cazorla signed for Villareal, making 181 appearances for El Submarino Amarillo and helping the Castellón club to finish runners-up in La Liga in 2008. He was voted Spanish Player of the Year in 2007 after a successful season with Recreativo de Huelva, where he spent the 2006-07 season. Signing for Málaga in the 2011-12 season, Cazorla was a key player in the side which finished fourth in the Spanish top flight, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. Purchased from the financially-troubled Malaga by English Premier League club Arsenal, Cazorla joined the Gunners for approximately £16 million pounds, becoming the North London club's record signing;[4] over the course of his first season with Arsenal, Cazorla has established himself as a first-team player in Arsene Wenger's midfield and as a key player in the squad.

Cazorla’s first international call-up by Spain manager Luis Aragonés was as much a surprise to the player as it was to onlookers, especially as it was as part of the final UEFA Euro 2008 squad, an unusual achievement for an uncapped player. Since then, Cazorla has amassed more than 50 appearances for Spain and has represented La Roja in major international tournaments such as Euro 2008 and 2012.

Contents

Club career [edit]

Villarreal [edit]

Born in Llanera, Asturias, Cazorla started playing football for local club Real Oviedo,[5] being acquired up by Villarreal CF six months before turning 18, as his previous club, immerse in a deep financial crisis, suffered two relegations at the end of 2002–03 which saw it land in Tercera División.[6] He then progressed through the reserve side, making his debut with the first team on 30 November 2003 in a 1–0 win at Deportivo de La Coruña (one minute played).

Established in the main squad in 2004–05, Cazorla scored four goals in the season's UEFA Cup, also making two goalless appearances in the following season's UEFA Champions League.

On 7 July 2006 Recreativo de Huelva signed Cazorla for €600,000 on a four-year deal, with a clause in his contract whereby he could return to Villarreal (for €1.2 million),[7] going on to score in his official debut, a 1–1 home draw with RCD Mallorca, on 27 August. He became Spanish Player of the Year according to Don Balón, a member of European Sports Magazines after topping its rating list;[8] on 22 April 2007 he dedicated a goal to his father who had died recently, in a 4–2 home win against Racing de Santander, going on to help the Andalusians, which had just returned from Segunda División, eventually finish eighth.

The following year, Villarreal took advantage of the clause in Cazorla's contract and bought him back, as the team believed he had proven himself. In his first season in his second spell, he was instrumental in Villarreal's final runner-up placing, providing assists for Nihat Kahveci and Giuseppe Rossi and netting five goals himself.

On 26 August 2008, Cazorla announced that Real Madrid wanted to buy him.[9] He then went on to cause a stir in the media by rejecting the team announcing that, "There are many other things in football besides Real Madrid. It's clear that it is possible to say "no" to them, There is no doubt that they are a great team, but I also feel very satisfied and valued at my club". "I hope I can continue growing at Villarreal because I am young and I’m only starting off with the national team."[10]

During a league game against UD Almería in early April 2009, Cazorla injured his right fibula after suffering a challenge from two opponents.[11] He missed several games but el Submarino Amarillo still managed to qualify for the Europa League, as the player made his comeback earlier than expected in the side's final match, a 3–2 win at RCD Mallorca, and finished the league campaign with a career-best eight goals.

Cazorla struggled heavily with injury in the 2009–10 season,[12][13] going on to miss the 2010 World Cup.[14] He returned to full fitness in the following campaign, only missing one game and scoring five times as Villarreal finished fourth and qualified to the Champions League.

Málaga [edit]

On 26 July 2011 Cazorla left Villarreal and returned to Andalusia to join high-spending Málaga CF, for a fee of €21m.[15][16] He scored on his official debut on 28 August, netting from a superbly-taken free kick but in a 1–2 away loss against neighbouring Sevilla FC.[17] On 12 September he scored a brace and gave an assist in another local derby, a 4–0 home win against Granada CF,[18] and netted his fourth in only four games nine days later – again from a free kick – in a 1–0 home success over Athletic Bilbao.[19]

On 18 March 2012, Cazorla scored from an injury-time free kick in a 1–1 away draw against Real Madrid,[20] and finished the season as the team's second top scorer (only behind Venezuelan Salomón Rondón) as it finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

Arsenal [edit]

On 7 August 2012, it was officially announced that Cazorla had signed a long-term deal with Arsenal in the Premier League.[21] He became Arsène Wenger's third major signing of the summer after the arrivals of German Lukas Podolski and Frenchman Olivier Giroud.

Cazorla made his debut on 18 August against Sunderland in a 0–0 home draw in which he was named Man of the Match.[22] He scored his first goal for the Gunners on 2 September in a 2–0 win against Liverpool at Anfield, whilst also providing an assist for Podolski on the opening goal in the match.[23]

Cazorla taking a corner kick for Arsenal

Cazorla netted his second goal on 6 October in a 3–1 win against West Ham United at Upton Park.[24] After the game, Wenger said he "is a pleasure to watch".[25] On 17 November he was named Man of the match in Arsenal's 5–2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, scoring one goal and assisting Giroud in another.[26]

On 11 December 2012, Cazorla started his first cup game for Arsenal in the Football League Cup against Bradford City: he assisted Thomas Vermaelen on the 1–1 equaliser, but missed Arsenal's first penalty in the shoot-out in an eventual elimination.[27] The following week he claimed his first career hat-trick in his team's 5–2 win over Reading, thus becoming the third Spanish player after Fernando Torres and Jordi Gómez to achieve this in the Premier League.[28]

On 9 February 2013, Cazorla scored the only goal, assisted by Theo Walcott in a 1–0 win for Arsenal away to Sunderland.[29] On 23 February 2013, Cazorla scored both Arsenal goals in a 2–1 win over Aston Villa.[30] He also scored Arsenal's second goal in the 4–1 home win over Reading on 30 March 2013.[31]

On 14 May 2013, Cazorla assisted all four of Arsenal's goals in a vital 4–1 win over Wigan Athletic which relegated their opponents and kept Arsenal in fourth place going into the final Premier League match of the season.[32]

International career [edit]

Cazorla began his international career in the Spanish under-21 team, under Iñaki Sáez. He was called-up for play-off games against Italy for the 2004 Summer Olympics,[33] playing the first match which ended 0–0 – coming in on the 77th minute for Javier Arizmendi – but missing the second leg as the nation did not eventually qualify for the competition.[34]

On 17 May 2008, senior side boss Luis Aragonés surprised the Spanish press by including the uncapped Cazorla and Sergio García in his UEFA Euro 2008 squad, over more established wingers such as Joaquín Sánchez and Albert Riera.[35] To justify his decision when asked, Aragonés stated, "They are players [Cazorla and García] who are performing very well and had the possibility of coming. I made myself decide between Riera and Cazorla where I considered each player's form".[36]

After making his debut on 31 May 2008 in a 2–1 friendly win over Peru, Cazorla made substitute appearances in the tournament's group stage matches against Russia,[37] Sweden[38] and Greece,[39] also coming from the bench in the quarterfinals against Italy, converting his penalty in the ensuing shootout which Spain won.[40] In the final, he played the last 25 minutes for David Silva, as Spain defeated Germany 1–0 and aided his country in winning their first major tournament in 44 years.[41]

On 19 November 2008, Cazorla scored his first international goal against Chile, a 3–0 friendly win on his club's homeground. He was summoned for the following year's FIFA Confederations Cup, where he made a couple of substitute appearances.

After missing the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to a hernia,[12] Cazorla returned to the national team's setup. On 4 June 2011, during the first half of a friendly against the United States in Boston, he scored twice in a 4–0 win.[42]

Cazorla was selected by Vicente del Bosque for the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine. He played ten minutes against Republic of Ireland (4–0 group stage win)[43] and six against France (2–0, quarterfinals)[44] for the eventual champions.

International goals [edit]

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 19 November 2008 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain  Chile 3–0 3–0 Friendly
2. 9 September 2009 Romano, Mérida, Spain  Estonia 2–0 3–0 2010 World Cup qualification
3. 4 June 2011 Gillette, Foxborough, United States  United States 0–1 0–4 Friendly
4. 4 June 2011 Gillette, Foxborough, United States  United States 0–3 0–4 Friendly
5. 26 May 2012 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland  Serbia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
6. 30 May 2012 Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland  South Korea 3–1 4–1 Friendly
7. 15 August 2012 Juan Ramón Loubriel, Bayamón, Puerto Rico  Puerto Rico 0–1 1–2 Friendly
8. 7 September 2012 Pasarón, Pontevedra, Spain  Saudi Arabia 1–0 5–0 Friendly

Honours [edit]

Club [edit]

Villarreal

Country [edit]

Spain

Individual [edit]

Statistics [edit]

Club [edit]

As of 14 May 2013[45][46]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Villarreal 2003–04 2 0 0 0 0 0 - - - 2 0 0
2004–05 28 3 0 0 0 0 11 4 0 39 7 0
2005–06 23 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 3
Total 53 3 3 0 0 0 11 4 0 64 7 3
Recreativo 2006–07 34 5 6 0 0 0 - - - 34 5 6
Total 34 5 6 0 0 0 - - - 34 5 6
Villarreal 2007–08 36 5 6 0 0 0 6 1 0 42 6 6
2008–09 30 8 5 0 0 0 8 0 0 38 8 5
2009–10 24 5 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 28 5 2
2010–11 37 5 10 2 1 0 13 1 3 52 7 13
Total 127 23 23 4 1 0 29 2 3 160 26 26
Málaga 2011–12 38 9 5 4 0 0 - - - 42 9 5
Total 38 9 5 4 0 0 - - - 42 9 5
Arsenal 2012–13 38 12 13 4 0 1 7 0 2 48 12 16
Total 38 12 13 4 0 1 7 0 2 48 12 16
Career total 289 52 50 12 1 1 47 6 4 352 59 56

International [edit]

[47]

National team Season Apps Goals
Spain 2008 13 0
2009 11 2
2010 5 0
2011 10 2
2012 11 4
2013 2 0
Total 52 8

Personal life [edit]

Cazorla is married to Ursula Santirso. They have two children: Enzo and India (born in 2013).

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Santi Cazorla". UEFA.com. Retrieved 31 January 2012. 
  2. ^ La chispa de 'Paquirrín' (The pizazz of 'Paquirrín'); El País (Spanish)
  3. ^ "Player Profile". FIFA. Retrieved 18 May 2013. 
  4. ^ Cox, Michael. "Cazorla symbol of Arsenal's ambition". ESPN. Retrieved 18 May 2013. 
  5. ^ "Santi Cazorla: El más listo de la clase" [Santi Cazorla: Brightest pupil in class] (in Spanish). La Voz de Asturias. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2012. 
  6. ^ "Rebollo regresa al Oviedo" [Rebollo returns to Oviedo] (in Spanish). La Nueva España. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2012. 
  7. ^ "Santi Cazorla será presentado este lunes" [Santi Cazorla will be presented Monday] (in Spanish). Recreativo de Huelva. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
  8. ^ "Don Balón Rankings 2006–2007" (in Spanish). Don Balón. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007. 
  9. ^ Cazorla: Madrid want to sign me; Setanta Sports
  10. ^ It's possible to say ‘No’ to Madrid; Goal.com
  11. ^ Villarreal rocked by Cazorla injury; UEFA.com, 4 April 2009
  12. ^ a b Cazorla has hernia operation, out 5–6 weeks; USA Today, 2 March 2010
  13. ^ Cazorla da la espalda a los contratiempos (Cazorla turns back on setbacks); El Comercio, 6 June 2011 (Spanish)
  14. ^ Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad; BBC Sport, 20 May 2010
  15. ^ Cazorla: Malaga move close; ESPN Soccernet, 26 July 2011
  16. ^ Malaga signs Santi Cazorla from Villarreal; Sports Illustrated, 26 July 2011
  17. ^ Sevilla see off Malaga; ESPN Soccernet, 28 August 2011
  18. ^ "Malaga ease to victory". ESPN Soccernet. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011. 
  19. ^ "Cazorla nets winner". ESPN Soccernet. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011. 
  20. ^ "Cazorla manda callar al Bernabéu" [Cazorla silences Bernabéu] (in Spanish). Marca. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012. 
  21. ^ "Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla". Arsenal F.C. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012. 
  22. ^ Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland; BBC Sport, 18 August 2012
  23. ^ "Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal". ESPN Soccernet. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012. 
  24. ^ West Ham 1–3 Arsenal; BBC Sport, 6 October 2012
  25. ^ Santi Cazorla is a delight to watch, says Arsene Wenger; BBC Sport, 6 October 2012
  26. ^ Arsenal 5–2 Tottenham; BBC Sport, 17 November 2012
  27. ^ "Bradford 1–1 Arsenal (aet, 3–2 on penalties): Vermaelen miss sends Gunners crashing out". Goal.com. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012. 
  28. ^ "Gunners claim much-needed victory". ESPN FC. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012. 
  29. ^ Johnston, Neil (9 February 2013). "Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal". BBC. BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2013. 
  30. ^ "Cazorla double gives Arsenal win to ease strain on Wenger". eurosport. 23 February 2013}. Retrieved 23 February 2013. 
  31. ^ Ornstein, David (30 March 2013). "Arsenal 4-1 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  32. ^ McKenna, Chris (14 May 2013). "Arsenal 4-1 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2013. 
  33. ^ Sáez seeking Spanish advance; UEFA.com
  34. ^ El fútbol español vuelve a quedarse fuera de los JJOO (Spanish football once again out of Olympic Games); El Mundo, 10 October 2006 (Spanish)
  35. ^ Raul omitted from Spanish squad; RTÉ Sport, 17 May 2008
  36. ^ Sergio García y Santi Cazorla, las sorpresas de la selección nacional (S.García and S.Cazorla, national team callup surprises); El Día, 18 May 2008 (Spanish)
  37. ^ euro2008.UEFA.com. "Euro 2008 match report: Spain 4–1 Russia". 
  38. ^ euro2008.UEFA.com. "Euro 2008 match report: Sweden 1–2 Spain". 
  39. ^ euro2008.UEFA.com. "Euro 2008 match report: Greece 1–2 Spain". 
  40. ^ euro2008.UEFA.com. "Euro 2008 match report: Spain 0–0 Italy". 
  41. ^ euro2008.UEFA.com. "Euro 2008 match report: Spain 1–0 Germany". 
  42. ^ Playing without Donovan, U.S. shut out by Spain; CBS Sports, 4 June 2011
  43. ^ "Spain turn on style to eliminate Ireland". UEFA.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  44. ^ "Centurion Alonso sends Spain into last four". UEFA.com. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  45. ^ Santi Cazorla career stats at Soccerbase
  46. ^ http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.statistics.html/santi-cazorla
  47. ^ Santi Cazorla at National-Football-Teams.com

External links [edit]

Arsenal F.C. – current squad
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