Santi Cazorla opens up about his Arsenal regret

Santi Cazorla left Arsenal in the summer to rejoin La Liga outfit Villareal. The 33-year-old’s last game was a Champions League tie against Ludogorets on 19 October 2016, when he sustained a serious ankle injury. Santi Cazorla says the manner in which he exited Arsenal feels like a thorn in his side. “No, they didn’t want to. They were very good, very honest. My idea was to do at Arsenal what I eventually did here [at Villarreal],” he told the Guardian. “I knew whoever was going to sign me would have to see me first: nobody just gives you a contract. Pre-season with Arsenal, let them see me, then we all decide. But they couldn’t wait to finalise the squad. “They said they’d help any way they could otherwise. I understood it, respected it. I’m eternally grateful. The people love me there and I’ll always have a connection with Arsenal, so much affection. “Not being able to say goodbye playing at the Emirates is like a thorn in my side. If I had to leave, I wanted it to be in front of the fans.” Cazorla joined the Gunners from Malaga in 2012 and would go on to make no fewer than 180 appearances for the club in all competitions, registering 29 goals and 45 assists in the process.

Sergio Ramos reminds death threats he received after being booed at Wembley