Why Santi Cazorla Is Thriving in Central Midfield for Arsenal

At West Bromwich Albion, Santi Cazorla took centre-stage for Arsenal once again. Injuries always create opportunities for other players, and in the absence of Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere, he has been afforded the chance to play through the middle.

The No. 10 role is bringing out the best in the Spanish international.

It’s the position he played for the vast majority of his first season with Arsenal. He was outstanding, playing every game and racking up 12 goals and 14 assists along the way. That remarkable record saw him comfortably voted as the club's official Player of the Season.

However, in recent months, his performances had been subdued. Fears were mounting that Cazorla might have been past his best. Now, there is cause for excitement: Moving back to his preferred place on the pitch seems to have revitalised Cazorla.

Prior to this recent run of form, Cazorla had not scored or created a single goal since August. Shifting to the centre seems to have unlocked the Spaniard’s creative spark: He has now created three goals in his last two games.

Against West Brom, he was majestic. His passing was immaculate. He completed 94 percent of his attempted passes.

Squawka.com

The graphic demonstrates that his central role liberated him to move all across the pitch. It’s notable that many of his passes were played from the left flank: Cazorla frequently drifted wide to occupy the space vacated by Danny Welbeck when he moved into the middle.

It was that interchange of position that created Arsenal’s goal. With Welbeck lurking in the penalty area, Cazorla showed great skill to beat his marker and race to the byline before lifting in an inch-perfect cross back into the box. Welbeck’s header was as good as his leap, and the 'keeper was beaten.

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If the assists are flowing again, goals remain an issue. Cazorla hasn’t scored since the Community Shield at Wembley. His last competitive strike came in May. Against the Baggies, he had four shots, none of which seriously tested Ben Foster.

The curious thing is that his shooting accuracy is actually quite impressive. Both efforts at the Hawthorns did at least test the goalkeeper, which has been the pattern for most of the season. Fifty-nine percent of Cazorla’s 17 shots thus far have tested the goalkeeper. That record is only matched by Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Wilshere. 

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Cazorla's problem is not finding the goal but beating the 'keeper. Perhaps eager to atone for previous misses, he focuses so much on hitting the target that his efforts can be a little tame. With confidence, the power and the precision currently lacking will return. Those dozen goals in his debut season suggest that he can contribute effectively from midfield.

If the diminutive Spaniard can add goals back into his game, he will be close to replicating his extraordinary form of 2012/13.

Stats via Squawka unless otherwise noted. 

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.