Santi Cazorla may be in the twilight of his career, but he showed there is still some of the old magic in his game.
The 37-year-old is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, having earned a cult following during his time with Arsenal and Villarreal. Injuries blighted much of the latter period of his Gunners career, but his dazzling ability meant he remained a popular figure on the terraces, right up until his departure in 2018.
Cazorla then spent two seasons back with boyhood club Villarreal, before he upped sticks and joined Al Sadd, who at the time were managed by Xavi. But while Xavi has since returned to Europe, his former international teammate has remained with Al Sadd, signing a new one-year contract during the summer.
And he is still a vital part of their setup, playing every minute of their season so far, scoring twice and registering a couple of assists. But it was his latest strike which had Arsenal fans remembering the glory days as he repeated a trick which astonished viewers up and down the country.
Back in 2016, at the request of Laurent Koscielny, Cazorla switched from taking his corner right-footed to doing it with his left. And during Al Sadd’s defeat to Al-Wakrah, he did just that, taking free kicks with both feet.
His first effort - taken with his left - had the keeper rooted to his spot, watching on as the ball cannoned off the foot off the post. However, in the second half Cazorla went one better as his whipped, right-footed effort found its way into the back of the net.
Such was his ambidextrous ability, observers questioned which was actually his strongest foot. Cazorla would reveal the right was his first love, with injury giving him the chance to hone his skills with the left.
“I have always preferred the right foot, ever since I was younger. I was a little bit hurt in my right ankle once, and that is when I started to use my left foot a lot more,” he said in 2015.
“Being able to use both feet is something that came quite naturally to me ever since I started playing. However, it is something I continuously work on in a very strong manner to ensure that my level never gets any lower.
“Everything comes from a base of hard work. After training sessions I would stay an extra half-an-hour and kick the ball against the wall with my weaker foot over and over again to make sure it becomes stronger and better. Players should remember that everything comes from hard work.”
Cazorla will again be a free agent next summer and it remains to be seen whether he will continue his playing career. Should he hang up his equally-worn boots, there will likely be a vacancy waiting for him back in north London. The former Spain international revealed his close friendship with current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, refusing to close the door on joining his coaching team in the future.
“Mikel was very important when I came to Arsenal,” Cazorla said in a 2021 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.”
