Santi Cazorla Form Leaves Question Mark over Mesut Ozil on Return from Injury

It was 30 seconds of action that told you everything about the way Santi Cazorla is playing at present. First, he collected a knockdown from Danny Welbeck and tore toward goal, bursting between two West Ham defenders before tripping over the third, Winston Reid. The run showed skill, imagination and determination.

Reid protested that Cazorla had dived. He should know better. The Spaniard is not prone to simulation. After all, it was he who stayed on his feet to score against Newcastle when going down could have earned a penalty and a red card. 

Once the spot-kick was awarded, we saw a second example of Cazorla’s growing confidence. A couple of days earlier, he had relinquished penalty responsibilities to allow Alexis Sanchez to take. Sanchez subsequently missed. On this occasion, Cazorla made no such concession, stepping up to take the kick himself. He converted for his fourth goal of the season.

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

After the match, the Spaniard was typically modest. Speaking to Arsenal.com, he shrugged and said, "The most important thing is to score. I took it because Arteta is out, but the most important thing is to help the team."

However, this was another dazzling display from Cazorla. Throughout the second half, he provided Arsenal with a constant outlet. His quick feet enable him to turn away from his marker and release Arsenal’s runners for counter-attacks. His ability to keep the ball also enabled the Gunners to alleviate the mounting pressure on their goal.

In recent weeks, Cazorla's form has recovered to the extent that he is now playing at the level that saw him heralded as Arsenal's Player of the Year in 2012/13.

The upturn in his performances has corresponded with injuries to Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. This may be far more than mere coincidence. Their absences have afforded Cazorla an extended run in the centre of midfield, and he’s flourished there.

His two-footedness and low centre of gravity make him ideally suited to play in the middle of the park, as he can turn in any direction without impediment. That also maximises his goal threat; Cazorla now has four goals in his last five games.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

He has seemingly made the position his own. However, a potential rival is on the horizon: Ozil. The German international is set for a return to action in the new year, and the club's record signing will be expecting to take up a spot in the starting XI.

The question mark concerns exactly where that spot will be. In the early portion of the season, Ozil was deployed as a winger with disappointing results. His best performances came against Galatasaray and Aston Villa when granted a free role.

Given the enormous investment Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have made in Ozil—including passing up the opportunity to re-sign Cesc Fabregas this summer—it’s likely he will indeed be restored to his preferred No. 10 position. Cazorla is the more versatile player, and shifting wide will not inhibit him as much as it does Ozil.

Should that occur, the Spaniard would be justified in feeling a little hard done by. In recent weeks, he’s shown he deserves a sustained run as Arsenal’s main creative influence. Whatever his price tag or reptuation, Ozil should be made to fight to regain his place.

 

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.