Cazorla wants to end Arsenal’s dry spell

LONDON — Spanish international midfielder Santi Cazorla has set his sights on helping Arsenal end its trophy drought after completing his transfer to the London club from troubled Malaga on a long-term deal.

Neither the exact length of the contract nor the size of the fee for Cazorla were revealed, although the Gunners are believed to have paid in the region of £16 million ($25m) to the Spanish side.

Cazorla, 27, has been capped 45 times by Spain and was a member of the squads that won Euro 2008 and this year’s European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

An attacking midfielder capable of playing on either wing, he missed Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph in South Africa due to injury.

Linked with Real Madrid in the past, he becomes the latest impressive addition to the London club’s squad this summer following the signings of Germany star Lukas Podolski from Cologne and France striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

And Cazorla wants to help lead Arsene Wenger’s team to their first trophy since the FA Cup in 2005.

“There’s a very good squad here and we want to fight for titles and win titles,” he told the Arsenal Player website.

“The club has made a big step to sign players to have a better team and meet the expectations of the fans.

“I’m very happy to be here, Arsenal are a huge club. I hope to win trophies here, that is what I want.”

Cazorla said he consulted former Gunners Robert Pires and Cesc Fabregas over the transfer and was encouraged by what he heard.

“Robert played with me at Villarreal. He knew about the rumors of me coming here and always encouraged me to sign,” he said. “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.”

The 2007 Spanish Player of the Year, Cazorla left Villarreal for Malaga last summer to spearhead their challenge for a Champions League place.

Largely thanks to his influence, the Costa del Sol outfit finished fourth to set up a Champions League play-off later this month but, with the Qatari owners’ funds apparently having run dry, Malaga was keen to sell this summer.

“Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He’s a player who will add significant quality to our squad,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

“Santi has good experience at both club and international level.

“He’s 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 us.”

Arsenal’s summer transfer dealings may not have ended there, with Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin a possible loan signing from Real Madrid.

Playmaker Sahin captained Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title in 2011 but has suffered with injury since moving to the Spanish capital.

And it remains to be seen whether Wenger’s signings may have persuaded Robin van Persie to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

The Dutchman, scorer of 37 goals last season, stated last month that he would not be extending his contract with the club that is due to expire next summer.

That alerted leading clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus, but he remains in North London for now. — AFP