While we have expected this for a while, I must say it is somewhat relieving and also exciting that the signing of Santi Cazorla has finally been officially announced by Arsenal’s official website Arsenal.com.
The versatile midfielder has been on Arsenal’s radar since last summer and it looks like Arsene has finally acquired a player who could potentially fill the creative void left by fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas.
Having accumulated 45 caps for Spain and a truckload of experience in La Liga for both Malaga and Villareal, Arsenal can expect to see a player with a lot of experience and a player who will feel right at home with Arsenal’s style of play.
While Rosicky fluorished in the attacking midfielders role in the second half of the season, at 31 with a bad injury history questions have always hovered over the position, particularly with Ramsey still relatively young and inexperienced.
Arsene Wenger is quoted as saying on Cazorla on Arsenal.com:
Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad.
He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club. We are delighted that he is joining us.
Cazorla is quoted by Arsenal.com as saying on the advice he got from others:
I have spoken to Robert Pires because he played with me at Villarreal, obviously he knew about the rumours of me coming here and always encouraged me to sign.
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He told me it was a very good club and I was going to enjoy London, the city and the move.
The same with Cesc Fabregas. He said this was a big club and that I was going to be very happy here, he said I would adapt easily. And I can feel that.
It is clear that there are players like Silva, Mata, Torres and Reina who have been here a long time, so I also talked to them. They have told me that it is great to play in the Premier League, they told me how the games are in England.
They say it is different to Spain and that is true. You see Spanish players doing well here and that inspires you to come over as well. They have set an example and I hope I will adapt to the league as well as they have.
He is also quoted as saying on the move to Arsenal:
I am very happy to be here – it is a huge club. It is a great step forward in my career and I hope it will be a very good experience. I hope to win trophies here – that is what I want of course.
I remember when I signed for Malaga [in 2011] there was already interest from Arsenal. It was always a club I liked very much.
Because of circumstances in football, things have not gone the way we wanted in Malaga this year but now I am going to have the opportunity to experience the Premier League and to be at a big club.
I could not miss this opportunity – I am 27 years old so it was the last train I could catch.
Everyone who has played here such as Robert Pires and Cesc Fabregas have spoken very highly about the Club.
I think it’s one of the greatest clubs in Europe, it is always fighting for silverware and just for those reasons it is worth trying to play at this club and in the Premier League.
The Club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.
I’m so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy.
Personally, I am very excited to see what our new signings have to offer and am very much amped for the new season. By Arsenal’s standards it has been quite a massive transfer window with Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and now Santi Cazorla signing in this transfer window.
No doubt we will see these three get some minutes against Cologne, but I suppose the question still remains over Robin van Persie and whether he feels Arsenal have done enough to show the ambition he mentioned in his public statement. Whether fans will forgive him for his public statement is another story however.
Anyway, Van Persie aside it seems Arsenal fans have a lot to look forward to and I hope Cazorla, along with Podolski and Giroud, can bring Arsenal success in the near future!
What do you guys think? Do you think Cazorla can bring the creative spark back to Arsenal? Or was he the wrong choice? Feel free to leave a comment below or discuss Cazorla in the allArsenal.com forums here!
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