With Santi Cazorla experiencing yet another injury setback, it’s time that Arsenal started doing some much-needed succession planning. The 32-year old is now expected to be out until 2018, an absence that could once again halt Arsenal’s title push.
The likes of Granit Xhaka and Mohammed Elneny have adjusted to the Premier League quickly at Arsenal, neither of them has the skill set of Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard is a deep-lying playmaker with the ability of a false 9; he’s a rare oddity in football today. That’s why it’s imperative Arsène Wenger makes it his top priority to replace him.
Here are five possible replacements for Santi Cazorla at Arsenal.
1. Isco
Last season Isco almost had the same amount of sub appearances as he did starts in La Liga. The Spaniard’s career has been in somewhat of a chokehold recently, yet anytime he’s played he’s performed well, but those opportunities have been few and far between.
At the age of 25, it’s now or never for Isco to take control of his career. He should be heralded as one of the world’s best by now, not being credited for his ‘unlimited potential’.
The Spaniard resembles Santi Cazorla in a more lean and quicker fashion. His vision is exceptional; he effortlessly carries Real Madrid through counter attacks and on top of that he’s an astute finisher. Isco’s current deal expires in 2018, so Arsenal could easily capitalise on his situation with a bid in the region of £40m.
