Ex‑Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla played a starring role as Real Oviedo secured promotion to La Liga, overturning a 1–0 first‑leg deficit with a thrilling 3–1 win tonight to complete a 3–2 aggregate comeback.
Cazorla, who joined Arsenal in August 2012 from Málaga, spent six influential seasons in North London. He made 180 appearances, scored 29 goals, provided 45 assists, earned two FA Cup titles (2014, 2015), two Community Shields (2014, 2015), and was named Arsenal Player of the Season in 2012–13 after netting 12 goals and 14 assists . His crowning moment came in the 2014 FA Cup final, where his free‑kick ignited a comeback from 2–0 down to win 3–2 in extra time .
Despite a highly successful tenure, recurrent injury woes—from an Achilles tear in 2016 to multiple surgeries—limited his final years at Arsenal and ultimately led to his departure in 2018 .
Tonight’s match was a return to his roots. The 40‑year‑old midfielder gave Oviedo the spark, calmly converting a first‑half penalty to level the tie and set the tone for a memorable night. His pivotal role followed a stunning free‑kick that sent Oviedo into the playoff final .
After the break, Ilyas Chaira extended Oviedo’s lead, pushing the game into extra time. Francisco Portillo then delivered a spectacular volley to seal the win and ignite celebrations as fans stormed the Carlos Tartiere pitch.
Head coach Veljko Paunović lauded his side’s spirit after the match, describing them as “heroes” for their resilience and collective effort.
For Cazorla, this marks a fairytale chapter in an illustrious career. Having endured severe injuries and a prolonged rehabilitation journey, he returned to his boyhood club in 2023 on a token contract, even donating part of his wages to the youth academy. His leadership, vision, and playmaking have been instrumental throughout this campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment