Former Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla admits he is enjoying life at Arsenal, where he says he is talked about more than in Spain.
Cazorla has been one of the sensations of the Premier League this season and reflected that Spanish footballers appear to be valued more abroad than in their own country.
“In the few months I’ve been in England I’ve been spoken about much more than in my time in Spain,” he told a Press conference
“I feel important at Arsenal and I’ve found it very comfortable. It has been a step forward in my career and I hope to continue improving.
“I’ve adapted well to Arsenal’s style and the responsibility I was handed from day one. It’s what I’ve always liked and the position of playmaker is where I’ve always wanted to play.
“I feel really great and I have great teammates beside me.”
On his return to Spain to link up with the national squad, Cazorla says he is surprised that players such as David Villa and Iker Casillas have begun to be questioned.
“To doubt people like David and Iker makes no sense. They have given so much for their clubs and country. There is no reason to doubt them. They are very important and show that every day.”
The English Press were amazed that Juan Mata had not been included in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for the games with Belarus and France, and Cazorla had nothing but praise for the Chelsea player.
“Mata is having a great season with some fantastic performances. He is especially recognised there [in England] but it’s not up to me to say who should be in the squad and who shouldn’t.”
Neither did he want to enter into the debate following Sunday’s Clasico, particularly Pepe’s declaration that Andres Iniesta had been ‘theatrical’.
“People always look for controversy but luckily there wasn’t any. It was a super-clean Clasico so there is no need to debate if anybody was theatrical,” commented Cazorla, who gave his opinion on Iniesta.
“For me he is godly, one of the best players in history and we are lucky that he is Spanish. I always watch him and I’ve learnt a lot playing at his side.”
On the visit to Belarus, the 27-year-old warned of the dangers of overconfidence.
“The match is a potential banana skin because everyone takes it as read that Spain are going to win, but we can look at the Georgia match as an example.
“Today any game is difficult and Belarus have the nucleus of the BATE Borisov team that beat Bayern Munich, so it’s going to be very tough.
“We are only thinking about this game and not about France,” he added.
