Santi Cazorla took just 90 minutes to establish himself as the new darling of Arsenal’s fans in the 0-0 with Sunderland on Saturday – and then said what they are all thinking.
Cazorla urged Arsenal to go out into the transfer market to replace Robin van Persie and Alex Song after their *departures from the Emirates.
Spanish playmaker Cazorla was Arsenal’s biggest threat against a resolute Sunderland, but they still made far too few chances to break the deadlock to leave the fans frustrated.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has spent in excess of £30million on Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud but is £9m in profit on his summer transfer business
Arsenal played well in patches but they desperately need a defensive midfield player after selling Song and Van Persie’s goals will take some replacing.
Cazorla said: “It’s clear that Van Persie is a great player and obviously we would all have preferred it if he had stayed. Song has gone as well and there are still 10 days left in the transfer market.
“I do not know if we will sign anyone but obviously it’s important to replace players like that because they were so important for the team. It felt really good making my debut. Of course, it was not the result any of us wanted, but we had chances and we did well.
“It’s a long season, so we can build on this. I had one chance and so did a few of my colleagues and that was the key to the game. We had complete control but that final step just eluded us.”
It was not for the want of trying. The refreshing thing about Cazorla was his *willingness to shoot. *Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet made a string of good saves, none better than from Cazorla’s sixth-minute drive.
Overall, the signs for Arsenal were encouraging. The *fit-again Abou Diaby was impressive. Podolski did his best but was surely never signed as a van Persie replacement. Indeed, Wenger says he now sees Podolski as a main striker.
That is why Giroud, the club’s £9m signing from Montpellier, was left on the bench and the Frenchman missed a late sitter after latching onto Cazorla’s pass.
Giroud pleaded for patience but the 6ft 4in striker also admitted he expected more aerial balls into the box.
Talking about his miss, he said: “The coach [Wenger] told me that I had more time but added that I had not to worry about it.
“If I had been on my left foot, I probably would have taken more time. It was on the right foot... I’ll have to work my right foot!
“This could have been the dream start. In Montpellier, I did not score for my first game. So I’m not worried. I think, here, I will get plenty of chances and I will score.
“People are clever enough to know that Robin took a lot of space here. His last season was wonderful. But before that, he took time to settle. So I’m just asking people to be a little patient with me.”
Originally Posted by ollie the optimist
from the mirror. this would be ultimate wumger. get rid of chamkh and send him to spurs.
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