Cazorla: ‘Sometimes Arsenal need to be clever’

Sarah Winterburn

Returning Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says they need to “change something” but we are pretty sure we have heard it all before.

The Gunners have missed out on the Premier League title once again after a poor run of form including a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea.

“Certainly we need to change something, because if we want to win we need to change. We will see what we have to do,” Cazorla told Sky Sports.

“This year we lost at home to Swansea, drew at home to Crystal Palace, and this is the difference if you want to win the league.

“For example against Crystal Palace when we were winning 1-0, we need to think about defending sometimes.

“It’s true we have a great mentality and great philosophy, because we always want to attack and always want to score, but sometimes we need to be clever, and if we are winning 1-0 we need to protect this result and win the three points.

“We had a great opportunity [to win the title], we know that and we were disappointed. But this is football, and we only look to the future.”

Cazorla is repeating claims from manager Arsene Wenger that the title was lost at home against bottom-half sides, but one win in eight London derbies would possibly be a better place to start.