Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is taken aback by the impact Santi Cazorla has made in his short time with the club.
The diminutive Spanish international has been widely hailed as the signing of the summer in England, and scored a spectacular goal for his new club in their 3-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.
“It was an outstanding performance,” Wenger told ESPN. “If you love football, you have to watch him play.”
The French tactician then risked the ire of the club's supporters by comparing the former Malaga man to Glenn Hoddle, a former player for Arsenal's rivals Tottenham.
“Cazorla is like Hoddle in some ways. Left footed, right footed, you could not say what he was and Cazorla is similar.
“I don't remember anyone else I've worked with who was as two footed and its so important to have that quality in the modern game.
“It looks like he will be the new favourite of the Arsenal fans as they can appreciate his quality. They have seen many great players during my time here as manager, so they need someone special to be excited, but they see that in Cazorla.”
The 27-year-old is part of Spain's squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Belarus.
