Santi Cazorla is due to leave Al Sadd with his deal in Qatar expiring come to the end of June. He has played in the World Cup hosts’ nation since leaving Villarreal in 2020.
The former Arsenal midfielder became, for many, one of the few Emirates-era legends at the club. Despite turning 37 in December, Cazorla continued to produce and will finish his deal with 27 goals and 26 assists in 57 matches.
Frankly, that is a ridiculous record, even if it may come for the Stars League winners. Cazorla added the back-to-back titles to a Qatar Cup in 2021 and three further pieces of silverware.
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Now though, with his deal ending and no news of a renewal, the Spaniard has said he has no intention to stop. Why would he, considering what he has continued to produce?
"My contract ends this month; I'm waiting to see if they tell me anything. Let's see what options come up. I'm still fine, I want to continue having fun and I want to see what the future holds, until my body says, 'enough is enough'. Currently, I still feel good," he told Cadena SER via Ojogo.
"I don't close doors returning to Spain, I'll see what the future has in store for me. Let's see what I have on the table. I don't rule out anything. I rule out absolutely nothing. I want to continue playing football and being important," he concluded.
He may not rule out the continuation of his playing career but it has felt for some time that a coaching role with Arsenal was beckoning. Speaking in 2021, he told the Spanish press that the opportunity to join Mikel Arteta would be something he would leave the door open to but that it was not on his mind then.
“Mikel was very important when I came to Arsenal,” Cazorla said in an interview with AS. “I did not speak the language and he was the only Spanish. He helped me a lot, both he and his family.
“We were two students of football, we watched games and he already had that coaching gene. It is something that I would value tomorrow, now I am not considering it.
“If I am given the opportunity and he believes that I can help him, it is something that I would not mind and would leave the door open to enjoy that experience with him. But there is nothing for today, it will be seen.”
Arteta recently quashed discussions with Santi Cazorla after reports suggested the former teammates had spoken about a potential move. The Arsenal manager was quick to quell expectations.
"I haven’t discussed anything like that with Santi," Arteta said at the end of March. Considering his intention is to keep playing for now, this is hardly surprising.
What Cazorla could bring to the club is that modern-day legendary status that is missing from the club nowadays. Past greats are always shown visiting London Colney, but the presence of someone who managed success with the side in the recent past could prove much more relatable.
Imagining Martin Odegaard or potential new signing Youri Tielemans learning from the little magician is an exciting prospect. The Gunners could have done with the mastery of the Spaniard last campaign and will be hoping next season sees the creativity thrive.
