Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Must Add Santi Cazorla to Appease Fanbase

Last summer, it was Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. This summer, it looks like it will be Robin van Persie. You can't really blame Arsenal fans for being frustrated with the squad, as the Gunners continue to see top talents depart for other teams.

Nor could you blame the fans for groaning and rolling their eyes when manager Arsene Wenger suggested that returning Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere from injury would be like signing new talents this offseason.

So with rumors circulating that the team has interest in Spanish international Santi Cazorla, it has become apparent that the team needs to bring in a player of his caliber to keep the fans from growing too disgruntled.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

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Arsenal have got a deal in place for Cazorla while they are also still in for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila and Caen youngster M'Baye Niang.

But Cazorla will be seen as the headline signing with Malaga likely to be ready to sell for around £20m to ease their own financial problems with their wealthy Middle Eastern owners facing penalties from the Spanish FA for outstanding debts.

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According to Cross, Wenger envisions Cazorla playing the attacking midfielder role that would otherwise be occupied by Wilshere, as a timetable for the young star's return to action remains in doubt. 

Whatever the notion for the possible signing, it makes sense on a number of levels. For one, it will appease a fanbase that is justifiably growing weary of the talent drain keeping Arsenal from earning any trophies.

For another, it might go a long way toward convincing van Persie that the team is making efforts to improve the roster and make a run at some silverware, thus giving him added incentive to keep his talents at the Emirates.

That would make fans very happy.

And finally, it would make the team better. Cazorla is a creative wizard on the pitch, and he would bring a lot of savvy and intelligence to the Gunners. The Mirror's David Cartlidge notes he makes up "for his lack of stature with exquisite technical ability, vision and movement" and praises his agility as well.

If the Gunners do end up losing van Persie, they will need to generate a lot of goals as a team. While van Persie doesn't create all of his chances for himself, he is by far the most clinical finisher on the team and is adept at scoring from tough angles or blasting the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

While new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski will ease his loss, a player like Cazorla would help facilitate a more even smattering of goals from across Arsenal's roster. In effect, the team's scoring would become far less reliant on one player.

No matter how you slice it, Cazorla to the Gunners would be a huge move for the team. At some point, the talent leaving has to be replaced with talent coming back in.

If not, the fans will grumble. It's time to give them something to get excited about, instead.

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