Santi Cazorla became an icon at Arsenal during his six-year spell at the club, with his incredible technical ability winning the hearts of his teammates and fans.
The Spaniard joined the club from Malaga in 2012 and was an instant hit, impressing both in attacking midfield and on the wings.
Cazorla then moved to a central midfield role two seasons later, forming an outstanding partnership with Francis Coquelin, with Mesut Ozil ahead as a number 10, and Cazorla established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
However, in November 2016, he picked up an injury so damaging that it nearly ended his career, and he would never appear in red and white again, leaving for Villarreal in 2018.
The midfielder’s ability with both feet, as well as his excellent creative and passing techniques, set him apart from the rest, and he has now claimed that one Arsenal player carries similar traits to himself.
Santi Cazorla praises Arsenal star Martin Odegaard
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, Cazorla highlighted Martin Odegaard as a player similar to himself.
“Mikel has changed their [Arsenal’s] mentality. When I was there, something was missing,” he explained.
“Mikel changed that and they have an incredible squad. I love [Martin] Ødegaard and see myself in him: like him, I found a coach [Arsène Wenger] who gave me confidence.
“He made me captain before I could say ‘hola’ in English. Declan Rice reminds me of Aaron Ramsey, appearing everywhere, a brutal player. Arsenal are clear candidates for the league.”
How Martin Odegaard is similar to Santi Cazorla
Like Cazorla, Odegaard arrived having thrived in La Liga, with the Norweigan impressing during a loan spell at Real Sociedad.
Odegaard also started his Arsenal career as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 shape, before dropping to a deeper role in a three-man midfield.
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The 25-year-old is arguably Arsenal’s most technically gifted player, and is a key creative player for Mikel Arteta.
His dribbling ability allows him to retain possession well, whilst also moving up the pitch, and whilst he may not have the technical ability to match Cazorla’s, he makes up for this with his incredible work-rate and pressing, which the Spaniard did not thrive at.
