Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from senior football but could make a return to North London in a coaching capacity after Mikel Arteta’s glowing report
Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from senior football at the age of 41. The former Spain international, who played for Arsenal for six years, brings down the curtain on an illustrious career.
Finishing with his boyhood club of Real Oviedo, Cazorla won trophies in Spain, England and Qatar and managed to even captain La Roja in June 2019. He became a fan favourite in North London where injury sadly interrupted the latter stages of his time with the Gunners.
However, upon his retirement, the door could yet open to a return with Arsenal. Speaking in 2024, Cazorla revealed conversations had taken place with Mikel Arteta after he had become manager but that his playing career was his focus.
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“I have a very special affection for Arsenal,” Cazorla told Sky Sports in 2024. “I spent six wonderful years there, and I know how much all the people love me there.
“Of course, I was fortunate to share a dressing room with Mikel Arteta, and now he is the manager. We had conversations about that, but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club, Oviedo, and continuing to enjoy football as a player.
“After that, we will see what the future holds for me. It is clear that Arsenal is a club that has always left the door open to me to return. But right now, I have enough on my mind with the play-offs and trying to enjoy the last days of my playing career.”
Now his playing days are done, this naturally raises questions about whether Cazorla could make an illustrious return to Arsenal as a coach.
Arteta even commented on the idea around two years ago. Speaking of being able to trust his former teammate for a variety of different qualities.
“Depending on the role. You know my sympathy for Santi,” Arteta told Sky Sports in April of 2024.
“We used to get on really, really well. I think he had an unbelievable energy that, as a coaching staff, to have someone like that, that [you] can trust with his knowledge, but his energy as well to the team. I think it’s going to be valid.”
In 2023, Cazorla was even more upfront about the idea of him returning to Arsenal. Perhaps even in a executive level capacity rather than a coaching role.
“We’ll see,” Cazorla said. “If I have the possibility to come back, I will be back. I don’t know which position in the club, as a coach or sports director. But of course, I would like to come back in the future.”
