One of the difficulties when you talk to have someone who has a lot to say and speaks so well is fitting it all in (and all the more so these days), so there's a lot that didn't make it. Thought it might be nice to share some of that from Santi Cazorla …
Recently someone asked me if I felt like an example/role model to follow, an inspiration. And I said no. I’m not an example to anyone there are a lot of problems in life much worse than mine. All I have done is battled to keep playing football.
I’m sure there are lot of people in my situation who have fought just the same or more than me but because they don’t play football or because they are not famous, people don’t realise. If this can help, I'm happy.
Meeting Arsenal in the Europa league would be very special. The bets moments? The FA Cups. I would love to have fought for a Premier League. We had seasons where we were close, but it wasn’t to be. It’s a club that has everything, that only needs a few little ‘details’ to compete
Emery ... an important change and I think in the long term it will be good. He’s a great coach and I think he needs a period of adaptation but I think he can give them a leap in quality.
I didn't know him but in the summer [Emery] called me to find out about the team and the club, for a bit more info. It’s normal to speak to someone who has been inside for their view. I told him what I thought: the things that he had to change and the things he had to reinforce.
And what were they?
No. I can’t say that. That’s a secret. But I was clear, direct: I said that it was an incredible club, that had everything it needed to win, but that there were things that had to change. I said it would be hard to change some of them.
No. I can’t say that. That’s a secret. But I was clear, direct: I said that it was an incredible club, that had everything it needed to win, but that there were things that had to change. I said it would be hard to change some of them.
Arsene was there for 23 years and changing 23 years overnight … it needs time. It’s an opportunity for [Emery] to take a club like Arsenal and try to make them champions which is what I want and what all Gunners want. I think they have chosen well.
Oxlaide-C's injury: I'm following him, watching his videos, seeing is progress. It came at a time when he was playing very well, he missed the Champions League final, Liverpool are [looking likely to] produce a great season now, there was the World Cup. That’s very complicated.
When there are people who have long-term injuries, I try to make them see that: that a lot is in your head. I’ve been through it, I’ve had moments when I couldn’t control my head and I wanted to throw in the towel ...
[Injured players] have to try to help each other out and be able to offer that perspective that comes of having been through it. He’s a strong person and I am sure he will be back. He seems to be making progress.
The good thing about an injury is that you see the people you have at your side, who they really are. When things are going well, and you’re playing and you’re on the telly, you score a nice goal, everybody congratulates you. But when you’re there for two years without playing...
, when no one sees you on the telly, or in the papers, to see there are [still] people who always there, asking how you are, who come and see you, who look out for you. You also realise that there are people who are there when things go well, not when they go badly.
People like Iniesta, Silva, Mata, Iker ... they sent me messages ... [just] to know that you have them at your side, that they’re thinking about you. I’m eternally grateful because loads have people have sent me messages.
Pizjuán applause: I didn’t expect it. People have been v nice on social media etc but it’s one thing for people to write to you there, another for an entire stadium like the Pizjuán to stand up an applaud you and the least you can do is return that affection because in the end..
...the most important thing about football is to be able to take people’s good will with you, their affection. I have seen that and I will take that wherever I go now.
There are lots of things in football you keep to yourself. At times, you can think ‘bloody hell, what bad luck’. But I've had great experiences too. Football has given me loads. I'm grateful for everything I lived up until now, and all the things I think I have left to live.
And the most important question of all: returning to Oviedo?
I don’t close the doors to that house. We [Oviedo fans] are sufferers. Hopefully they can go up whether I'm there or not. First, promotion. And then we’ll see. Let the fans enjoy 1st division; that's what matters.
I don’t close the doors to that house. We [Oviedo fans] are sufferers. Hopefully they can go up whether I'm there or not. First, promotion. And then we’ll see. Let the fans enjoy 1st division; that's what matters.
Pic: @pablogsacristan 
