‘Truly I was born to be an example of misfortune, and a target at which the arrows of adversary are aimed.’
Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
As transfer deadlines pass in the summer and then in the winter, the feeding frenzy seems to get wilder and wilder. Contracts are checked and ticked for when they are going to end. Just look at the non playing Theo Walcott and his contract talks, allegedly going on. Any player reaching the age 30, it suddenly seems to become like the Carrousel Scene in Logan’s Run*:-
Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
As transfer deadlines pass in the summer and then in the winter, the feeding frenzy seems to get wilder and wilder. Contracts are checked and ticked for when they are going to end. Just look at the non playing Theo Walcott and his contract talks, allegedly going on. Any player reaching the age 30, it suddenly seems to become like the Carrousel Scene in Logan’s Run*:-
Any player that reaches thirty, suddenly becomes a sellable good. For example, I was listening to the recent Arsenal Fans TV Podcast after the United win. They were discussing whether we should sell Nacho Monreal as he is presently 29 years old. Thankfully, all felt we should keep him, but it seems interesting that it was being discussed at all.
But then there is the point I’m interested in. The returning player to his homeland. We’ve had it before, with a few players I will mention in Cesc Fabregas and especially Jose Antonio Reyes were it often broke Arsenal fans hearts when they departed (to some degree at least). Mind you, when Sébastien Squillaci returned to Bastia in 2013 we were a might happier.
Anyhow, this article will look at whether Santi Cazorla is maybe the new Jose Antonio Reyes, in that he feels he needs to return to Spain. Whether it is just the incessant Spanish press, feeding an even more gullible English press, which then breaks out as a full pandemic on the Arsenal twittersphere. In the case of Santi Cazorla, rumours have risen that he may return to Atletico [ok. Its The Metro!!!] The age difference between Reyes and Cazorla is a mere 1 year (Reyes, being the senior player).
But then there is the point I’m interested in. The returning player to his homeland. We’ve had it before, with a few players I will mention in Cesc Fabregas and especially Jose Antonio Reyes were it often broke Arsenal fans hearts when they departed (to some degree at least). Mind you, when Sébastien Squillaci returned to Bastia in 2013 we were a might happier.
Anyhow, this article will look at whether Santi Cazorla is maybe the new Jose Antonio Reyes, in that he feels he needs to return to Spain. Whether it is just the incessant Spanish press, feeding an even more gullible English press, which then breaks out as a full pandemic on the Arsenal twittersphere. In the case of Santi Cazorla, rumours have risen that he may return to Atletico [ok. Its The Metro!!!] The age difference between Reyes and Cazorla is a mere 1 year (Reyes, being the senior player).
I always feel saddened when I think of the departure of Jose Antonio Reyes, a player I have written before on 7amkickoff. A player of such skill, that he helped the Invincible’s team to cross the finishing line undefeated in the season of 2003-4. A player that returned to Spain homesick, playing a season a Real Madrid, then Atletico Madrid, a loan at Benfica, back to Atletico and a return to his beloved Seville. In many ways there are similarities with Reyes and Cazorla and many differences to.
The similarities for me is that both have played in Spain for ‘small’ clubs prior to joining The Arsenal. Reyes from Seville and Cazorla for Villarreal and Malaga (small as in not Barca or Madrid). Prior to joining The Arsenal, neither had been at Real Madrid or Barcelona. Teams with incredible prestige and history. This is not to say that we have neither, but it is still a relevant point for a professional player.
Secondly, both had been approached by Real Madrid. Santi Cazorla, whilst a mere 21 year old had been approached by Real Madrid in 2008. Jose Antonio Reyes was constantly being linked with Real Madrid after Arsenal’s run to the champions league run in 2005-6. He was especially embarrassed when Spanish press rang him and pretended to be Real Madrid famously saying:-
The similarities for me is that both have played in Spain for ‘small’ clubs prior to joining The Arsenal. Reyes from Seville and Cazorla for Villarreal and Malaga (small as in not Barca or Madrid). Prior to joining The Arsenal, neither had been at Real Madrid or Barcelona. Teams with incredible prestige and history. This is not to say that we have neither, but it is still a relevant point for a professional player.
Secondly, both had been approached by Real Madrid. Santi Cazorla, whilst a mere 21 year old had been approached by Real Madrid in 2008. Jose Antonio Reyes was constantly being linked with Real Madrid after Arsenal’s run to the champions league run in 2005-6. He was especially embarrassed when Spanish press rang him and pretended to be Real Madrid famously saying:-
"I wish I was playing for Real Madrid, Hopefully it could happen. I love the way Madrid play. I'm not happy with the way things are…..If I'm not (playing for Real) I'm going to have to carry on playing with some bad people. I'm sure there are none in the Real dressing room.
I'm happy Madrid is interested in me because it has always been my dream since I was little to play there."
The reasons I can’t see Santi Cazorla leaving though are numerous. Firstly, unlike Reyes and Fabregas before him he has no desire to return to the ‘big clubs’ of Barca or Real Madrid. In fact, in 2008 when Real Madrid came knocking for him, he turned them down saying:-
"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."
Santi has never in his time itched for a move, using the Spanish press to help with his move. Unlike a great player like Jose Antonio Reyes or the over rated Cesc Fabregas [hint. I don’t like Cesc much]. Santi has kept relatively quite about any supposed desire to return to Spain.
Secondly, when Cazorla joined us in in 2012 was 27 years old. Cesc and Reyes joined us respective as 16 year olds and 20 years old. Reyes famously brought his mum and dad over from Spain, so she could cook his meals and look after him. Hardly an act of maturity. Cazorla on the other hand was married, a father and a full Spanish international who had travelled extensively with the international team.
Thirdly, Cazorla, unlike Reyes can look after himself. Reyes was never really the same after the F.A cup semi-final in 2004 when Paul Scholes took him out:-
Secondly, when Cazorla joined us in in 2012 was 27 years old. Cesc and Reyes joined us respective as 16 year olds and 20 years old. Reyes famously brought his mum and dad over from Spain, so she could cook his meals and look after him. Hardly an act of maturity. Cazorla on the other hand was married, a father and a full Spanish international who had travelled extensively with the international team.
Thirdly, Cazorla, unlike Reyes can look after himself. Reyes was never really the same after the F.A cup semi-final in 2004 when Paul Scholes took him out:-
Is it any wonder Reyes over reacted when playing Manchester United by his histronics :-
Or the sending off in the 2005 F.A cup final.
Cazorla though smaller, will take a kick (and often has). He’s skillful and fast, and in recent weeks has added a meaty challenge to. One only needs at the game at Manchester City in january to see this:-
Cazorla though smaller, will take a kick (and often has). He’s skillful and fast, and in recent weeks has added a meaty challenge to. One only needs at the game at Manchester City in january to see this:-
Fourthly, Santi has joined us at the right time. In 2004 when Reyes came, Henry was in the team, as was Robert Pires and even Dennis Bergkamp was still there. Arsenal also had Ashley Cole in the squad. Although Reyes was seen as ‘one for the future’, in no way was he the star. When Santi Cazorla joined s, the The Bleach Report wrote:-
Signing Cazorla would also let the rest of the league know that Arsenal is a force to be reckoned with. By signing one of Europe's best midfielders, the club would improve tremendously.
Reyes joined Arsenal at the wrong time for me. Henry, Pires and Dennis Bergkamp were on the wain. Ashley Cole was being eyed up by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Arsenal were about to enter a period of austerity and buying cheap (Almunia and Silvestre anyone?) Reyes was most likely unhappy at what was going to become a very fallow period.
Santi on the other hand joined at the right moment. Not only was seen as central to our plans, but Arsenal had started buying some quality players in the year he came such as Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski. The following year would bring Mesut Ozil and last year, Alexis Sánchez. This was a team of quality being built, not dismantled. Why would you want to leave?
Finally, for me Cazorla has unfinished business at Arsenal. Cazorla is a winner. A World Cup winner and European Championship winner with Spain. But domestically, Cazorla has won just one trophy. The F.A Cup:-
Signing Cazorla would also let the rest of the league know that Arsenal is a force to be reckoned with. By signing one of Europe's best midfielders, the club would improve tremendously.
Reyes joined Arsenal at the wrong time for me. Henry, Pires and Dennis Bergkamp were on the wain. Ashley Cole was being eyed up by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Arsenal were about to enter a period of austerity and buying cheap (Almunia and Silvestre anyone?) Reyes was most likely unhappy at what was going to become a very fallow period.
Santi on the other hand joined at the right moment. Not only was seen as central to our plans, but Arsenal had started buying some quality players in the year he came such as Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski. The following year would bring Mesut Ozil and last year, Alexis Sánchez. This was a team of quality being built, not dismantled. Why would you want to leave?
Finally, for me Cazorla has unfinished business at Arsenal. Cazorla is a winner. A World Cup winner and European Championship winner with Spain. But domestically, Cazorla has won just one trophy. The F.A Cup:-
To underline this point Cazorla said this prior to the Semi-final last year :-
We haven’t got a winning mentality and we have to believe in ourselves (more),Sometimes you can get used to not fighting, but we can’t do that. Arsenal is and will always be a historic football club, we have to look forward.
We’ve been unlucky in several games. We had a lot of chances to win against Manchester United and there was Ozil’s penalty (against Bayern). We couldn’t recover after going out against Bayern in the Champions League.
And the defeat against Stoke finished us. You can’t lose against Stoke if you aspire to be the next champion.
Cazorla certainly has unfinished business with Arsenal. He know’s we have a side and money, whilst a departure to Atletico Madrid is a move downwards. This is a team that won the La Liga title and then had to sell Diego Costa. A team that is often in debt and having to sell its best players (Falco, Diego Forlan and Fernando Torres for example in the past). It really doesn’t make sense. But then the Spanish sports press has never been a great love of mine.
One final comment though, is in writing this article, I find it interesting that many fans liked Reyes but felt, once he left The Arsenal, he never reached his full potential. (cannoncalls actually said it to me when we discussed this article) I find that a travesty, as I felt he had a pretty good career. At Arsenal he was an Invincible in 2003-4. An F.A Cup Winner in 2005 (although sent off late in the Final). In 2005-6 he was part of the team that got us to the European Cup final in Paris. He then went to Real Madrid, and his goals on the Final day of La Liga won Real Madrid the title. After that, he went to Atletico Madrid and won two Europa Cup trophies in 2008-9 and 2010-1. Then back to Seville, where last year he won another Europa trophy, At present, Sevilla are on course for a Quarter-final spot of the Europa Cup. If he failed anywhere, it was the mere 21 caps he earnt Spain.
*Logan’s Run is a famous book/Film, in which no one live’s beyond the age of Thirty. On reaching 30 they enter the Carousel and are sent heavenwards and shot at by lasers. A cheery tale.
Post by @plasticspam
One final comment though, is in writing this article, I find it interesting that many fans liked Reyes but felt, once he left The Arsenal, he never reached his full potential. (cannoncalls actually said it to me when we discussed this article) I find that a travesty, as I felt he had a pretty good career. At Arsenal he was an Invincible in 2003-4. An F.A Cup Winner in 2005 (although sent off late in the Final). In 2005-6 he was part of the team that got us to the European Cup final in Paris. He then went to Real Madrid, and his goals on the Final day of La Liga won Real Madrid the title. After that, he went to Atletico Madrid and won two Europa Cup trophies in 2008-9 and 2010-1. Then back to Seville, where last year he won another Europa trophy, At present, Sevilla are on course for a Quarter-final spot of the Europa Cup. If he failed anywhere, it was the mere 21 caps he earnt Spain.
*Logan’s Run is a famous book/Film, in which no one live’s beyond the age of Thirty. On reaching 30 they enter the Carousel and are sent heavenwards and shot at by lasers. A cheery tale.
Post by @plasticspam