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Arsenal transfer news: Santi Cazorla linked with Atletico Madrid switch once more

The Gunners ace is reportedly unsettled in England as La Liga side wait

Thursday 31 July 2014 15:30 BST

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla (Getty Images)

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla is looking increasingly likely to move away from the Emirates this summer with Atletico Madrid seeming like the most plausible destination.

The 29-year-old Spain international has performed well in London since joining from Malaga two years ago but, after struggling to settle into the English lifestyle, is eying a move back to his homeland - according to AS.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, who need to replace the attacking menace of Diego Costa who joined Chelsea for £30m, have money to spend and have already started their planning for the new season with the capture of French winger Antoine Griezmann.

Cazorla announced yesterday that the Gunners must replicate Atletico's blueprint for success if they are to lift the Premier League trophy this season.

"They had an incredible season last year," he said. "Winning titles takes several campaigns, I admire everything they have conquered. Many people do not realise how hard it is to win a league competing with Barcelona or Madrid."

Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

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1/11Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Wojciech Szczesny

The goalkeeper came under criticism during the second half of last season for his momentary lapses in concentration, and with talk of both David Ospina and Iker Casillas set to arrive at the Emirates, the Pole will want to show Wenger why he was right to keep faith in him. Having seen off the challenge of Lukasz Fabianski for a number of years, Szczesny should continue as number one into the new season even if either Ospina or Casillas arrive.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Mathieu Debuchy

Debuchy arrived as the replacement for the departed-Bacary Sagna, who joined Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of the season. Despite being favoured by France coach Didier Deschamps at the World Cup, many Arsenal fans felt Sagna enjoyed one of his best season’s before his exit, and Debuchy will have a lot to live up to if he is to justify his £12m move to the Gunners.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Calum Chambers

Despite signing for the club this summer, Chambers looks set to start the Community Shield given that Per Mertesacker is yet to return to the club. The 19-year-old impressed during the Emirates Cup, but the Premier League champions will pose a major threat to the young English talent.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman formed a consistent partnership with Mertesacker last season, but his ability to play alongside Vermaelen still remains in the balance are a string of less than convincing showings over the past two years. Nevertheless, he has developed in to one of the key players among the current Arsenal squad, and has shown an eye for a goal when he is allowed to get in the box at set-pieces.

Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Kieran Gibbs

Gibbs overcame a number of long-term injuries to solidify his place as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, seeing off the challenge of first Andre Santos and now Nacho Monreal. Hopwever, he is yet to reach the performances of his predecessors Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy, although at 24 years old he still has time to nurture his talent and rival Luke Shaw for the England left-back berth in the years to come. He brings a calmness to the Arsenal left flank, which tends to look rather exposed when he is absent.

Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Mikel Arteta

The Spaniard is another whose future is up in the air due with interest coming from Italian side Fiorentina. However, Arteta has reaffirmed his commitment to his current club and his happiness at living in London, but he faces a task in holding on to his place in the starting XI given the wealth of options that Wenger has available in the middle.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Jack Wilshere

Arsenal’s golden boy has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this summer, and he faces a potentially career defining season ahead of him that could determine his Arsenal future. With Aaron Ramsey enjoying his best season to date last year that saw him win the club’s player of the season award, Wilshere needs to push on or face being replaced in the first team. A number of injuries have not helped his cause, but a good start to the season could really help him cement his place for both club and country.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Alexis Sanchez

Much like Özil, a lot will be expected to come from Sanchez on the basis that the Gunners shelled out – by their standards – a significant fee to sign him from Barcelona. Sanchez is blessed with speed and his natural instincts in front of goal should help him settle quicker than Özil, but he will be judged on his number of goals. Wenger could look to start him through the middle, although the absence of the injured Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recovery from injury is likely to see Sanchez start his Arsenal career on the right wing.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Aaron Ramsey

The Gunners will be hopeful that Ramsey can maintain his level of performance from last season after appearing to overcome the thigh injury that kept him out for nearly four months last term. The Welshman was a prominent figure in the Gunners title challenge, and there is no reason why they can’t win further silverware next season with a fit Ramsey in the side. The confidence he should gain from scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup final should see him push on even further.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Santi Cazorla

The Spanish magician is a wanted man with interest coming from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, but Arsenal fans will not want him to leave after showing moments of genius since arriving at the Emirates. He has the tendency to blow hot or cold, as he tends to go missing when he’s not at his best, but his best is a joy to watch. Faces a much bigger fight to keep his place this season following the arrival of Sanchez which could see the attacking midfield trio rejigged to accommodate the Chile star.

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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City

Olivier Giroud

Despite calls for him to be replaced – or at least given support – Giroud is likely to continue as Arsenal’s lead striker, at least until the return to fitness of Walcott. Sanchez could take his place through the middle should he start the season slowly, but after showing more last season than he did in his first year with the club, there is an expectation that Giroud can push on further. If he can cut out his habit to miss clear-cut opportunities time and again, he could well contest the league’s top scorer award.

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Should Arsene Wenger lose Cazorla to the Madrid club, the Frenchman may invest the money straight back into his squad having already secured deals for Alexi Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina and Calum Chambers.

The FA Cup holders have been linked with German international Marco Reus, who recently rejected a new deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Cazorla, speaking to the media during Arsenal's tour of Austria, also gave his predictions for the coming Premier League season.

"Manchester City are the current champions and will always be the ones to watch out for," he added.

"Manchester United are coming off the back of a bad season - but they will come back stronger this season. Having no European competition this season will focus their attention on the league.

"Then there's Chelsea, who have made great signings: Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Courtois, who has returned but it's difficult to choose one, the problem is that there are many.

"I do not want to forget other teams like Liverpool, who went so close to the title last year, or Tottenham. I'm sure it will be very open and just hope that Arsenal are in the top group."

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