New boy Santi Cazorla has revealed that former Gunners Cesc Fabregas and Robert Pires encouraged him to sign for the club.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, in his first interview since joining, the Spanish international said he’d sought advice before making the switch, and received nothing but positive comments.

“I spoke to Robert Pires, we played together at Villareall,” he said, “and obviously he knew about the rumours of me coming here and encouraged me to sign. He said it was a really good club and that I would enjoy London.

“The same with Cesc, he said the same, that it was a great club. He said I would be very happy here and I would adapt easily. I can feel that even though I’ve only been here a few hours!”

Cazorla also spoke about how the move came about, confirming he almost joined the club last summer before his switch to Malaga, and outlined why he joined the Arsenal.

“It was always a club I liked very much. Because of circumstances in football things have not gone as well as we’d have liked in Malaga this year, but now I’m going to have the opportunity to experience the Premier league and I couldn’t miss it. I’m 27 years old, it was the last train I could catch.

“I think it’s one of the greatest clubs in Europe. ”

And his aim is quite simple, “I hope to win trophies here, that’s what I want.”

Bienvenido, Sanit!

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See the full interview on Arsenal Player