Arsene Wenger pins Arsenal goal-scoring hopes on Santi Cazorla

Arsene Wenger is hoping that Santi Cazorla can fill in for Arsenal’s injured midfielders and provide the goals needed to fire the Gunners to the title.

The Spaniard has scored four goals in his last five games for the north Londoners after previously having notched up just one strike for Wenger’s men this season.

Cazorla can be a playmaker and a goal-scorer and at the moment we need these qualities

Arsene Wenger

The 29-year-old netted 12 times last term and following injuries to Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, Wenger is hopeful Cazorla can continue his impressive form in front of goal in the coming weeks.

“Santi Cazorla [has been] scoring and of course he is very important in the build-up of our game. But as well at the moment he is very important in the finishing qualities,” said Wenger, whose side are second in the table and a point behind Manchester City.

“We lost Walcott, who is a goal-scoring machine and Ramsey as well had a great goal-scoring record. So [losing] two together, of course somebody needs to score these goals.

“Cazorla can be a playmaker and a goal-scorer and of course at the moment we need these qualities.”

Cazorla has been limited to 16 Premier League starts this season and Wenger acknowledges that the midfielder is keen to play every game.

“He is a fantastic football player but he loves to play,” he added. “He is happy on the football pitch and that’s all we want from him.”