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Arsenal sign Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments161

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal have signed Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be below £15m.

The 27-year-old has joined the club at a pre-season training camp in Germany.

Cazorla said: "I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League."

Boss Arsene Wenger, who is also working to sign Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin on loan, added: "He's a great signing who will add significant quality to us."

The Frenchman continued: "He is a player with good experience at both club and international level.

"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 spoke of his intention to help the Gunners end their trophy drought, which dates back to 2005.

"I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal," he stated. "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 recognised and admired all over the world.

"I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy."

Meanwhile the Gunners hope to add Turkey international Sahin to a squad already boosted by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski and France striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

Real Madrid signed Sahin from Borussia Dortmundexternal-link on a six-year contract in May 2011, but the 23-year-old has struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu and Real boss Jose Mourinho would let him leave on loan.

Doubts remain over the future of captain Robin van Persie, who has said he will not extend his contract when it expires in 2013.

But the Dutch striker is with the squad in Germany ahead of Sunday's friendly against Cologne, which was agreed as part of the Podolski transfer.

The Cazorla and Sahin deals are unrelated to Van Persie, but were accelerated by news that Jack Wilshere will not play before October as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Cazorla, who joined Malaga from Villarreal last summer, stands at 5ft 6ins and featured for Spain at the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

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161 comments

  • Comment posted by User0933041056, at 09:12 2 Aug 2012

    Great signings. Pity Sahin is just a loan.

    VP is making a mistake...

  • Comment posted by User0138791583, at 12:50 2 Aug 2012

    I've said it before and I'll say it again - 'underachieving' Arsenal have done astonishingly well to remain competitive and keep qualifying for the Champions League given how little they spend on new players in comparison to the teams above and around them. They've been punching above their weight for years, and while the lack of silverwear is frustrating, I'll take our stability over Chelsea.

  • Comment posted by User0669810200, at 12:37 2 Aug 2012

    My concern is that our defence is less than solid. To win games you need to be able to defend as well as attack.

  • Comment posted by D1679441577000, at 09:42 2 Aug 2012

    This will be a real show of intent from Arsenal if they are to get both Cazorla and Sahin. It will be interesting to hear a statement from RVP if both signings go through.

    Cazorla, Sahin combined with Podolski and Giroud would be a very successful transfer window in my opinion.

    http://fantasyyirma.wordpress.com

  • Comment posted by oOgO0OnzOo, at 09:33 2 Aug 2012

    Nice signings. Now to shore up the defense and especially the full back positions. Onwards and upwards.

  • Comment posted by RKM, at 11:53 2 Aug 2012

    Looks like its going to another trophyless season for the Gunners!

  • Comment posted by camajama, at 14:55 2 Aug 2012

    @125, 124, 120, and anyone who agrees with these guys..

    Financial Fair Play.
    Global Recession.
    Rangers.
    Portsmouth.

  • Comment posted by D1679441577000, at 08:03 3 Aug 2012

    @143 I think the point for me is that with the potential signings of Cazorla and Sahin combined with Podolski and Giroud I think Arsenal have shown ambition so far in the transfer window.

    Hopefully that ambition might make RVP reconsider. Fingers crossed from me anyway :)

  • Comment posted by Samuel Afolabi Eyinla, at 12:20 2 Aug 2012

    great signing to Arsenal F.C and good news to all the Gunners fans across the globe

  • Comment posted by Weallfollowunited, at 10:42 2 Aug 2012

    #34
    To be fair, one is an attacking midfielder (that play's) and one is a defensive midfielder (that doesn't) so there's no point comparing them.

  • Comment posted by U14972306, at 10:46 2 Aug 2012

    32. Alandoo
    Surely strength and depth is what we need to challenge for the title.
    +++
    Good one! You are a card.

  • Comment posted by U15001102, at 14:11 2 Aug 2012

    @ 101
    How much have CFC spent on transfers and wages in comparison to Arsenal in that period?

  • Comment posted by MassiveGonner, at 14:35 2 Aug 2012

    RVP was quoted in saying Arsenal lack ambition.. These summer signing prove that we want to win trophies and are still one of the top teams in Europe. Arsenal has constantly qualified for the champion’s league for 15 years now, whilst building one of the best stadiums in the PL (£400 mil)! Let’s see how Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool cope when they start building their new stadium. COYG

  • Comment posted by plath, at 14:29 2 Aug 2012

    109. Name Number 6 Arsenal has high revenue but they need to spend £15m every year servicing debt which we spent on the stadium. That's why we sell players for big money every season. Otherwise we make a loss. http://arsenal.theoffside.com/team-news/arsenals-finances-what-do-they-mean-for-our-transfer-window.html - no to Usmanov. I don't want a Eastern European crook running Arsenal like Chelsea

  • Comment posted by User0422857370, at 11:07 2 Aug 2012

    dont compare Kagawa and Sahin ,they are different player who play in different position , Kagawa play more foward ,sahin a deeper position
    when sahin was at BVB he play already few seasons in top league while Kagawa just arrive in new country and higly inexperience , wilshere is out i ll bet until new year now,so Sahin is the emergency signing to stop us rushing JW back too fast

  • Comment posted by D1679441577000, at 17:35 3 Aug 2012

    Shame that Arsenal have not make the announcement for Cazorla today, but if there is a double announcement alongside Sahin soon that will be great!

    http://fantasyyirma.wordpress.com

  • Comment posted by User0150450666, at 20:05 2 Aug 2012

    the number of arsenal 'fans' that call wilshere 'wiltshire' is unbelievable.

    anyway any player who has been at madrid or in the spain squad is a good signing, when you consider someone like mata only got 5 mins at the euros and he's chelski's best player

  • Comment posted by RedalwaysRed, at 10:57 2 Aug 2012

    OHHHH NOOO!!! Looks like arsenal and wenger are finally waking up!!!

  • Comment posted by newmab, at 09:28 2 Aug 2012

    Carorla will be a great signing, hoping to emulate pires with some goals finally coming from midfield. Am i alone in thinking we should be looking at right back cover for Sagna?? why are we bidding for the Lille right back who Newcastle are in for, £7mn seem a perfect Wenger price.....

  • Comment posted by User0422857370, at 10:45 2 Aug 2012

    @29 box to box like Song,
    i m more worry about left back and right back than DM to be honest specially if Santos move up wide left midfield that left us with the injure prone Gibbs at left and the talented but untested Jekinson at right ( i know yennaris/ coquelin can play there but are even less experienced RB)
    Carzola signing is quality.Sahin on loan could be the smartest move this season