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Arsenal’s top four hopes in jeopardy without Santi Cazorla

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla (REUTERS)
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The midfield maestro is such an influential part of Arsenal’s midfield, yet will not play again this season.

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla in action with Burnley's George BoydArsenal’s Santi Cazorla in action with Burnley’s George Boyd

No-one likes seeing a player get injured, but one feels there will be several Liverpool and Manchester United fans breathing sighs of relief knowing that Arsenal’s midfielder Santi Cazorla won’t play again this season.

The 32-year-old Spanish maestro is the man that makes Arsenal tick, and in the eight Premier League matches Cazorla has played his season, he’s racked up two goals and two assists, but suffered a serious ankle injury in October.

Cazorla had surgery in December and Arsenal fans desperately hoped he would return before the season’s end due to his importance to the side, but they will now have to make do without.

The Spain international has a knack of barely giving the ball away, and his vision and accuracy with his passing allows creative players like Mesut Ozil more freedom, as they don’t have to drop so deep to get the ball.

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla is helped up by referee Danny MakkelieArsenal’s Santi Cazorla is helped up by referee Danny Makkelie

While the season was just eight games old when Cazorla got injured, Arsenal were 2nd – one goal behind then leaders Manchester City and three points clear of Chelsea.

Now, they are 10 points behind current leaders Chelsea, just one point above Liverpool and a mere two above Manchester United. Without Cazorla’s influence, it’s entirely possible Arsenal could miss out on top four this season.