Published: 9 August, 2012
by CATHERINE ETOE

NEW Arsenal signing Santi Cazorla hopes to fill the Emirates’ trophy cabinet with silverware after joining Arsene Wenger’s side from Malaga this week.

Spain international Cazorla, 27, has signed a long term contract with the Gunners for an undisclosed fee thought to be worth around £15million.

Cazorla has already joined up with his new Arsenal team-mates, who include fellow marquee signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, at their training camp in Germany.

The former La Liga star could well make his debut for the Gunners in the friendly with Cologne on Sunday, ahead of the opening Premier League match at home to Sunderland on August 18.

He says the prospect of playing on a stage like the Premier League, alongside personal recommendations from Spain colleague Cesc Fabregas and ex-Villarreal team-mate Robert Pires played a part in his decision to move. “I am very happy to be here – it is a huge club,” said Cazorla. “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.”

Speaking to the club website, 2007 Spanish player of the year Cazorla added that his fellow Spain international Fabregas had assured him he would fit in with the north London side.

“I think it’s one of the greatest clubs in Europe,” he added. “It’s always fighting for silverware and just for those reasons it is worth trying to play at this club and in the Premier League.”