Cazorla: Arsenal style helped me settle in
442 Staff - Thursday 06 December 2012, 17:31
Santi Cazorla's stunning start to life in the Premier League is
down to Arsenal's playing style being very similar to clubs in his
native Spain, the attacking midfielder has exclusively told FourFourTwo.
The 27-year-old Spanish international, who was part of the squads
which won the European Championship in both 2008 and 2012, joined the
Emirates Stadium outfit in the summer, as manager Arsene Wenger
capitalised on Malaga's financial struggles by bagging the starlet for
£15 million.
Whereas fellow summer signing Olivier Giroud required seven matches
to open his league account, the former Villarreal and Recreativo
wide-man needed no settling-in period in North London, wowing Gunners
supporters with four goals and three assists from 15 league outings to date.
Speaking exclusively in the January 2013 of FourFourTwo,
Cazorla claims that Arsenal's free-flowing passing style is akin to
that of his former clubs and the all-conquering current Spanish side,
helping him adjust to English football in double-quick time.
"It's true it didn't take long to adjust because the way Arsenal play is
actually quite like Villarreal, Malaga and the Spanish national team," he says.
"It's a style where you keep the ball, where you try and play, and
that's why I think I didn't take long to adjust."
Cazorla also admits that he sought the advice of two former Gunners
before putting pen to paper at Emirates Stadium, whose endorsement of
the club proved pivotal in his decision.
"I spoke with Robert Pires, who I played with at Villarreal, and Cesc
Fabregas," he says. "They said I shouldn't even think about it, that
it's a spectacular club; that I'd love it and that I'd notice a real
difference between England and Spain.
"The truth is they helped me a lot in making the move."
The January 2013 issue of FourFourTwo goes
behind the scenes at Arsenal, speaking to the men that matter as they
reveal their master plan for success at home and abroad, including
Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, Thomas Vermaelen, Santi Cazorla, Kieran
Gibbs, Ken Friar, OBE and Liam Brady. Former Manchester United and
Chelsea midfielder Juan Veron also answers your questions, while we
reveal our annual Top 100 Players in the World list and meet Grimsby
Town's managerial double-act. Subscribe! or download it digitally
BEHIND THE SCENES FourFourTwo spends a month with Arsene, Ivan & Co.
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