The Arsenal playmaker was on form against the Hornets.
Rio Ferdinand was impressed by Santi Cazorla’s ‘naughty pass’ for Arsenal’s first goal against Watford on Saturday afternoon.
Indeed, the Gunners faced the Hornets during the Premier League’s late kick-off on Saturday and, despite a composed Watford display for a good 60 minutes, the visitors ended up netting three late goals and leaving with all three points.
Cazorla played a big part in that and started everything off with a sumptuous pass in the build up to Alexis Sanchez’s opener.
It was only a passing comment from Ferdinand but it touched on a passing masterclass from the 30-year-old at Vicarage Road.
| V Watford | Chances Created | Final-Third Passes | Accurate Passes | Forward Pass | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesut Özil | 6 | 27 | 58 | 21 | 81 |
| Alexis Sánchez | 4 | 22 | 42 | 10 | 80 |
| Santiago Cazorla | 1 | 32 | 93 | 32 | 90 |
| Aaron Ramsey | 1 | 22 | 52 | 11 | 90 |
As Opta stats show, Cazorla only created one chance but the one he did was the one that so impressed Ferdinand.
In terms of his overall passing, meanwhile, the little Spaniard ran the show for Arsenal.
Cazorla completed 32 passes in the final third, 93 overall and played more forward passes (32) than any other Arsenal player.
As many have commented after the 3-0 win at Watford, when Cazorla plays well… Arsenal play well, with the 30-year-old getting the best out of his creative team-mates.
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