Wenger - Cazorla is back to his best now

Arsene Wenger believes Santi Cazorla’s recent resurgence is simply down to his return to full fitness.

The Spain international struggled with injury earlier in the season, but has been in fine form in recent weeks as the Gunners have claimed five successive league wins.

Cazorla claimed a brace as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-0 on Saturday, and Wenger was pleased to see the playmaker at the peak of his powers once more.

“Santi got two and that is a sign he is coming back to his level because for a big part of the season he had some injury problems,” he told Arsenal Player. “Since mid-December he has been coming back to his best.

“He was injured for a while, after that he had an ankle problem for a period and couldn’t hit the ball properly with his right foot.

“Santi is about using two legs, you don’t know really if he is right or left footed and once he cannot do that as freely as he is used to he has a handicap. He had that for a long time this season.”

Wenger was pleased with his side’s second half response and says the solidity the defence provides is absolutely crucial.

“We were a bit one-paced in the first half and we needed to go up a gear to create the chances, which we did,” he said. “We needed to be stable defensively, that gives you confidence. The players don’t become nervous, the crowd doesn’t become nervous as long as it is 0-0 because you know that at some stage you have the capacity to score.

“It is massive because how many times have we played at home running after the goals we have conceded. That makes it much more difficult and on the nervy side. That [defensive] stability gives confidence to the team.”