5) Santi Cazorla (31, Arsenal)
His unrivalled close control in tight spaces has made the Spaniard an absolute pleasure to have in the Premier League since his arrival in 2012, when his performances – largely as a No. 10 – brought 12 goals, 12 assists and the Arsenal Player of the Year trophy in his first season.
As Arsenal have bought more dynamic creative players, Cazorla has found himself a new niche as a deeper playmaker in a 4-2-3-1, forming a vertically challenged midfield partnership with Francis Coquelin that would have seemed unthinkable three years ago. The legs may be slowing but his vision, control and desire remain; he’s the only non-Manchester City player to have two Premier League goals and assists so far this season. Not bad for an old man.