One iconic former Arsenal star has now been hailed by the fans and players of a foreign team who are on the verge of a historic triumph.
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla is a hero at Spanish club Real Oviedo.
Real Oviedo finished sixth in the Segunda Division this season, earning themselves a place in the play-offs, with the opportunity to earn promotion to La Liga. Oviedo have not featured in the top flight of Spanish football since 2001. Given Real Oviedo’s turbulent recent history, to have even got this far is some achievement.
Cazorla is on the books for Real Oveido, and is a talismanic figure for the club. The 39-year-old played 25 times this season.
Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla hailed by Real Oviedo
A product of the Real Oviedo academy, the playmaker returned to Estadio Carlos Tartiere last summer on a one-year contract, accepting the minimum allowed salary in order to help with the club’s financial situation, as reported by Sports.
Following Real Oviedo’s last match, Cazorla was hailed by the club’s fans and his teammates. In a video clip posted on the club’s official X account, the 81-cap former Spain international could be seen being serenaded by supporters and carried aloft by the other players.
Cazorla is the kind of player who it is almost impossible not to like. A supremely gifted and skilful player, he is a joy to watch, and he plays with a smile on his face. He was beloved by Arsenal fans in his time at the Emirates Stadium.
Could Santi Cazorla join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal?
Cazorla spent six seasons in North London between 2012 and 2018, making 180 appearances and scoring 29 goals, across all competitions. He was also able to win two FA Cups before his final two campaigns were decimated by injury.
When he was fit and firing on all cylinders for the Gunners though, few could hold a candle to the two-footed magician’s talent. Aaron Ramsey has named Cazorla as the best player he played alongside in his time at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has admitted that he would love to bring Cazorla back to Arsenal, in a coaching capacity. The pair clearly enjoy a close friendship, and could one day be reunited at the Emirates Stadium, this time in the dugout.
In the meantime, though, Cazorla’s attention will be fixated on goings-on at Real Oviedo, with their all-important play-off fixtures on the horizon. No matter what happens in those games though, his legacy at the club is assured, just as it is in North London.