Arsenal player Santi Cazorla conducts a 'choir' of fans in video

11 August 2014, 10:57 | Updated: 11 August 2014, 11:26

Arsenal continues to build a reputation as the football club of classical music lovers following the posting of a Vine video in which midfielder Santi Cazorla is seen conducting a crowd of supporters in a chant.

The Spanish midfielder, who scored a goal in yesterday’s 3-0 defeat of Manchester City in the Community Shield, is seen in the video (below) wearing white gloves and a dinner jacket, following a training session. While a choir of Arsenal fans sings his name, Cazorla wields his conductors’ baton.

It is not known why a conductors’ baton was available at the football ground, but perhaps it is further evidence of Arsenal’s takeover by classical music lovers. Conductor and founder of The Sixteen, Harry Christophers, and composer Mark-Anthony Turnage are reportedly fans of the club, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger likes to listen to Classic FM while driving.

Chas Newkey-Burden, an author of several books about Arsenal, suggests that Cazorla might have an ulterior motive for his ostentatious display of musicianship.

"Santi has been the orchestrator of many an Arsenal symphony in recent seasons,” says Newkey-Burden. “With the arrivals of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez increasing competition for his place in the team, perhaps Santi was looking to impress his manager Arsene Wenger, who is known to be a fan of classical music."