Santi Cazorla has signed a new contract with Arsenal, the club has confirmed today. The Spanish playmaker joined Theo Walcott in extending his stay in north London.
Cazorla was Arsenal's most consistent player last season, making 53 appearances in all competitions, including a man of the match performance in the FA Cup final triumph over Aston Villa. Notably, the 30-year-old converted his game to become Arsenal's first-choice centre midfielder alongside Francis Coquelin.
Despite his importance in Arsene Wenger's squad, there were unshakeable reports that Atletico Madrid were preparing a bid to bring him back to Spain. Diego Simeone needed to replace Arda Turan and Cazorla was reportedly top of their list.
However, there was never any doubt from within Arsenal that Cazorla wanted to leave London and this new contract will likely see him finish the peak years of his career at the Emirates. John Cross of The Mirror, claims the new deal will last until 2017. The Independent, however, says the contract will take him to 2018.
It is a remarkable turnaround for the diminutive playmaker, who in the 2013/14 season struggled to get in to Arsenal's line-up ahead of Mesut Ozil. That was before Wenger discovered Cazorla's ability to play in the centre of midfield, sitting in a deeper role alongside the combative Coquelin.
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