Santi Cazorla hit nearly twice the number of accurate through balls as any other player in the Premier League last term…
fantix runs down the ten Premier League footballers last season who played more accurate attacking through balls than anyone else.
Unsurprisingly, playmakers from slick passing teams like Arsenal, Southampton, Liverpool, Swansea, Wigan and Manchester City dominate!
10) Pablo Hernandez – Swansea – 9 accurate attacking through balls
The Spanish playmaker enjoyed a very good debut season with Swansea after joining from Valencia last summer. His nine accurate through balls helped fellow Spaniard Michu notch 18 Premier League goals.
9) Jack Wilshere – Arsenal – 9 accurate attacking through balls
Despite being injured for some of the season, Wilshere still makes the top ten, hitting nine accurate through balls thanks to his majestic left-foot and outstanding vision.
8) Steven Gerrard – Liverpool – 10 accurate attacking through balls
The Liverpool legend recently enjoyed a testimonial against Olympiakos, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. The creative influence in Liverpool’s and England’s midfield hit ten accurate through balls for the Anfield club.
7) Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal – 11 accurate attacking through balls
The second of three Arsenal stars on the list, the young Welshman played a more pivotal role when Jack Wilshere was out injured, and duly delivered 11 accurate through balls in Arsenal’s fluid footballing side.
6) Rickie Lambert – Southampton – 12 accurate attacking through balls
The surprise entrance on the list, centre-forward Lambert, who scored 15 Premier League goals last term, also played 12 accurate through balls for the Saints. The Englishman will be in contention for a place at the World Cup if he keeps up that kind of form.
5) Jordi Gomez – Wigan – 12 accurate attacking through balls
The 12 accurate through balls played by Wigan’s Spanish playmaker unfortunately were not enough to stop the Latics being relegated from the Premier League. An FA Cup win though, was more than consolation.
4) Yaya Toure – Manchester City – 12 accurate attacking through balls
The Ivorian powerhouse is both creator and destroyer for City, and played 12 intricate passes through to his strikers last term for the Premier League runners up. Will be crucial to Pellegrini’s chances of winning back the title.
3) Luis Suarez – Liverpool – 13 accurate attacking through balls
The brilliant Uruguayan created and scored goals for Liverpool last term. When Daniel Sturridge arrived in January, Suarez was deployed in a deeper role and regularly played the England forward through on goal, helping him score 10 goals.
2) David Silva – Manchester City – 17 accurate attacking through balls
Silva is the third of four Spaniards on this list, which shows you the kind of passing football engrained into the Spanish philosophy. Despite many claiming he was not at his mercurial best last term, the diminutive playmaker played 17 accurate through balls.
1) Santi Cazorla – Arsenal – 30 accurate attacking through balls
Unbelievably, Cazorla played 30 accurate through balls last season for the Gunners, nearly more than double anyone else in the Premier League. This, combined with his 12 goals and 14 Premier League assists last year make the 28-year-old Spaniard one of the best signings in Arsenal’s recent history.
Stats courtesy of Who Scored.
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