January 16, Arsenal famous, Spanish midfielder Santi Caso
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic UK, Lara poured out his emotions for Arsenal.
In the second part of the interview, he talks about his close friend, Mikel Arteta.
“After playing with him for many years at Arsenal, I knew him very well. He was a very good captain and really helped me a lot at the time.
I thought from the very beginning that he would be a very good coach.
He was always talking to me about tactics and saying: ‘You have to change this and that detail’.
Then I started thinking: ‘What are you doing… you’re not a player, why are you starting to be a coach.
…’
But you could tell he was already thinking like a coach.
He needs time [to improve] and it was great for him to work with Pep Guardiola for two years at Manchester City, where he learned a lot.
After Arsene Wenger retired, it was difficult for him and the club to reinvent a team after 20 years under the same manager.
But now they are doing well, with very good young players.
Competing against Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United is difficult but I hope they do and I wish Mikel the best.
”
“You’re right, I texted him back congratulating him on another win – like after the derby against Tottenham (3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in October). But I know he’s busy,
So I don’t want to bother him, but sometimes I just want to say: ‘Congratulations, keep going. You did a great job and you deserve it.'”
TA then asked, since both Edu and Arteta are serving at Arsenal, will Cazorla return to Arsenal after retiring?
“There will be results in the future. If there is a possibility for me to return, I will. I don’t know which position at the club, coach or sporting director. But of course, I would like to return to Arsenal in the future.
I haven’t talked about it yet because I’m focused on playing football.
I feel good: as a player, I want to try to enjoy my career.
But in the future I will plan my retirement life and see what I want.
If they (Arsenal) want me back then we will communicate.
I’ve started thinking about what I want to do, which is to stay in football because it’s my life.
But as a coach, sporting director or youth academy director, I have to make a choice, see you in the future.
”
Note: Cazorla’s son Enzo is currently playing for Al Sadd’s youth academy
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Cazorla: I want to go back to Arsenal and play another game for the team, I love Arsenal so much and will always support it