He'd be a massive improvement over Rosicky and Arshavin, that's for sure.

y va marquer wrote:

So Carzola - what would he bring us?
Will he walk straight into the first team?

He's your typical Spanish technical, pint sized, playmaking wizard. Technically he's as good as they come, brilliant pure footballer. Not quite as direct as someone like David Silva, but his all round game is on a par imo. Likes to drop deep and drill long, very accurate passes with either foot. Seems to have a good attitude and be a good team player too. Worry would be his physicality cos he's tiny, and I'm not sure he'd be great as a wide player in English football.

But yes, all things considered he'd walk straight in to our team.

timBO! wrote:

Not quite as direct as someone like David Silva, but his all round game is on a par imo

I don't watch much La Liga, but still I find it hard to believe that they are equal in terms of quality, considering that Silva is a star for the national team, while Cazorla isn't a starter.

Never rated him as a wide player, but he reinvented himself at Malaga as a central playmaker where he had a brilliant season.

Would definitely start ahead of Rosicky. Him + Jovetic and our summer can be considered done. (without even mentioning us prolly signing some good youngsters like Milo and Niang). Could such a brilliant summer happen though?

Maybe because Cazorla has Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc in front of him in the pecking order, while Silva has the likes of Navas and Pedro competing for a position.

A lot of quality players don't get into Spain's NT, that's not a slight on Cazorla.

Anyone who has played in the spain side that won the the world cup and euro is guaranteed and technically too gifted to not have some sort of success.

Silva is a cracking player in his own right, but has gotten the nod for Spain in the last year because of his hugely increased profile imo. Before that he was out of the first team for about 2 seasons and Cazorla was ahead of him in the pecking order. Silva actually got in to the Spain team again about 9 months ago, shortly after his dad did a well publicised radio interview asking what more his son had to do to get another chance. Silva is now seen as a genuine star playing for the Premier league champs, whereas Cazorla plays for Malaga, and is generally a more understated personality.

Cazorla is better than Silva. So's Mata.

We will be getting him at the right age too. I don't see Real Madrid or Barcelona coming in for him post this if they aren't in for him now, so we won't have a wantaway Spanish international again.

timBO! wrote:

He's your typical Spanish technical, pint sized, playmaking wizard. Technically he's as good as they come, brilliant pure footballer. Not quite as direct as someone like David Silva, but his all round game is on a par imo. Likes to drop deep and drill long, very accurate passes with either foot.Seems to have a good attitude and be a good team player too. Worry would be his physicality cos he's tiny, and I'm not sure he'd be great as a wide player in English football.

But yes, all things considered he'd walk straight in to our team.

That's convincing.
Thanks tBO.
If he's a durable sturdy midget he might cope well enough with PL.
Aguero lasted the course well enough last season, Silva faded away for a few months though.

Orbinho's been quick off the mark with some stats:
Walcott v Cazorla
Mins/goal > 343-361
Conversion > 13.8%-13.9%
Accuracy > 59%-46%
Pass% opp half >78%-78%
Cross% > 14%-32%
Mins/Chance created > 68-52

hmm. not hugely convincing stats. Or is it Theo's that's so surprising?

This guy was considered the signing of the summer last season and best player outside madrid/barcelona. Loyal player who stayed with Villarreal when he had a deal with madrid years back on the table.

Gunner89 wrote:

This guy was considered the signing of the summer last season

Even in front of Michu?

Cracking player. Just the kind of player we need to get our attacking verve back and ensure we keep hold of the ball and supply the front men decently. Thought he'd be out of our reach now tho. Hope it happens

Guardian liga review

Best signing

Santi Cazorla. Yes, even at €19m.

Team of the season

Roberto (Zaragoza), Iraola (Athletic), Ramos (Real Madrid), Ballesteros (Levante), Siqueira (Granada), Michu (Rayo), Alonso (Real Madrid), Cazorla (Málaga), Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Messi (Barcelona), Falcao (Atlético).

Graham Hunter has said on twitter that we have a "decent possibility" of signing him.

That team of the season is so funny though!

Cazorla is the best player in Spain outside Real Madrid and Barcelona. Better than David Silva imo.