“Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home” : Santi Cazorla on a potential return to North London

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta has done a fantastic job ever since taking the mantle of head coach with the Gunners. Arsenal was the team with the most number of wins throughout this year as well. The problem that lies is, apart from an FA Cup and two Community Shields, the Spaniard does not really have anything else to show how far their progress has come.

Prior seasons it was Manchester City, and currently it is Liverpool who is absolutely dominating thanks to new manager Arne Slot’s tactics along with Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’or worthy form. The Gunners are currently six points behind the Reds (who have a game in hand) as the first half of the season is already done.

While Mikel Arteta would regularly not care for some extra assistance in coaching, he would certainly make an exception for former Arsenal midfield maestro Santi Cazorla. The Spanish duo played together at the North London club while also winning an FA Cup, as Cazorla slowly became a fan-favourite.

The 40-year-old is currently playing in Spain’s Second Division club Oviedo, but would not mind a return to his Gunners family as part of the coaching staff, as he expressed his sentiments towards Arteta and the club in a recent interview.

“Mikel is doing an incredible job. I understand that competing with Manchester City last year and Liverpool this year is very difficult, but they must keep fighting. I believe in them. I hope Liverpool loses some points, and Arsenal can win the title.”

“Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home. I love this club and the fans, so we’ll see what happens in the future. I don’t yet know what role I could take. I need to think about it, but I definitely want to stay in football because it’s what I love.”Cazorla said when asked about a potential return to the North London club.

“He’s one of the best players that I have played with” : Mikel Arteta’s thoughts on Santi Cazorla

The Spaniard coach was also not shy on heaping praise towards his former teammate, who he believes had a very special six years with the club from 2012 to 2018, winning two FA Cups and Community Shields. Arteta also reflected on the fact that apart from his football, he was also a beloved member in the dressing room, even without his knowledge of the English language.

“He’s one of the best players that I have played with. But then it’s also about the person, and he’s a very special character. He was loved by everybody in the dressing room, [and everybody] at the club. Even without speaking English, he was loved by all the crowd, which is a compliment of him.”the 42-year-old expressed to Amazon Prime Video.

Santi Cazorla was also present at the Emirates stadium on Friday when the Gunners narrowly marched past Ipswich Town in a 1-0 victory. It will not be the first time a former club player will return to the team as a coaching member, and certainly will not be the last time. Most recently, former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago also joined Hansi Flick’s coaching staff in the summer with rumours of him making his return in the second half of the season as well.

Regardless, Santi Cazorla’s homecoming to Arsenal would be a special one for the fans especially, if it ever happens, sooner or later.