Santi CazorlaLONDON — Arsenal made its third offseason player signing Tuesday, with Spain attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla joining from Malaga on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. Arsenal has already signed Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for a reported 13 million pounds (€20 million) and Lukas Podolski from FC Cologne for an undisclosed fee. “I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League," Cazorla told the club's website. “Their style of play is recognized and admired all over the world. It is a great step forward in my career and I hope it will be a very good experience. “The club has been playing Champions League football for the last 15 years in a row. That is really difficult to achieve." The 27-year-old Cazorla has played 45 internationals and was a part of Spain's squad during its victorious 2008 and 2012 European Championship campaigns. Cazorla has already joined up with his new Arsenal teammates at a preseason training camp in Germany. “He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally," manager Arsene Wenger said. “He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club." Cazorla was a part of the Malaga team that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history last season. He also played for Villarreal, now in the Spanish second tier. The midfielder believes Arsenal will compete for trophies during the upcoming Premier League season. “It always fights for the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup," said Cazorla. “I think the club has made a big step to sign players to have a better team and meet the expectation of the fans." Arsenal begins its Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on Aug. 18. — AP
