How is Santi Cazorla adjusting to life in Qatar?

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Playing in Qatar might not be the best end to his career but the 36-year-old is loving every moment and already looks at home.

Santi Cazorla left Arsenal in 2018 having played 180 games for the club, scoring 29 and assisting 45 since joining from Malaga in 2012, helping the team win two Emirates FA Cups and two FA Community Shields.

The Spaniard was hampered by injuries during his career with the Gunners, but when he was fit he was a crucial player in Arsene Wenger’s squad, capable of forming a link between defence and attack.

The midfielder went back to Villarreal for the second time in his career where he went on to score 22 goals in 86 appearances for the La Liga side and even got another call up for the Spanish national team.

Cazorla got released in the summer and refused any possible coaching role to sign for Qatari side Al Sadd and play under ex- Spanish international teammate Xavi.

A month after joining, the midfielder scored on his debut in a Qatari Star’s Cup Semi-Final win against Al Ahli, this was followed by a brace four days later in the QSL fixture against Al-Kharaitiyat.

During his career with Arsenal, he was never renowned for his goal-scoring form, but since he has joined Al Sadd the magician has scored 19 and assisted ten this season.

The 36-year-old netted in a thunderbolt strike late on to secure an astonishing 3-2 comeback win over Al Arabi in a Qatar Derby on Monday and send his side on the brink of winning the title for the 15th time.

He continues to tear up the Qatar Stars League and send the fans into joy. Given the injury problems he’s had, it’s just good to see the midfielder shining and playing with a smile on his face.

The Spanish playmaker is considered the mastermind of the team in the middle of the field and has contributed to many of the goals.

Santi Cazorla captained his side to a 2-0 win in the Qatar Cup final earlier in the season. The win marked the Spaniard’s third trophy in less than a year with the club, having already won the Qatari Stars Cup and Emir of Qatar Cup.

Xavi’s side are unbeaten this season and look to be walking the league, winning 15 and drawing two of their 17 games played this season.

They sit 13 points clear of Al-Duhail in second place. No club have matched their record of 63 goals and only ten conceded this season.

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