IT’S FAB TO SIGN FOR ARS CLAIMS SANTI Cazorla wanted to follow in Cesc’s footsteps
SPAIN star Santi Cazorla has revealed he decided to join Arsenal after getting the thumbs-up from Cesc Fabregas.
The Gunners landed the winger, 27, from Malaga, whose cash problems forced them to accept just £12million.
Cazorla opted for a new life in London after consulting with Fabregas, who left the Emirates a year ago to join Barcelona, and another ex-Gunner, Robert Pires.
He said: “I spoke 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.
“He told me it was a very good club and I was going to enjoy the city and the move.
“It was 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.”
Support
“I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support.
“The club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is known and admired everywhere.
“I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy.”
Spain are the undisputed kings of world football right now so no wonder Premier League clubs are trying to sign their stars.
Cazorla was keen to make the same impact as David Silva at Manchester City, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Juan Mata at Chelsea.
And if he couldn’t do that he could at least be as well paid as Fernando Torres.
He added: “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 here.
Quality
“They have set an example and I hope I will adapt to the league as well as they have.”
Boss Arsene Wenger was confident he would fit in straight away.
“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,” Wenger said.
“He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally.”