Wenger: Arsenal star is unlucky not to have more international recognition

Saturday, September 22, 2012
11:22 PM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes former Malaga man Santi Cazorla would walk into most international teams.

The 27-year-old has caught the eye with a string of cavalier displays at the heart of Arsenal’s unbeaten start, and while he makes frequent appearances for Spain he cannot hold down a regular position and is often used off the bench.

“Cazorla is a good link between midfield and the final third. He gives you availability always to turn the game forward and an exceptional technical level,” Wenger said.

“You would think Cazorla or (Mikel) Arteta would play in many other countries, but with Spain they don’t because they have (Andres) Iniesta, (Sergi) Busquets and Xavi. Players like Cazorla and Arteta, even (Cesc) Fabregas is not always playing.

“They are all technical high-level, gifted players. It is not a coincidence, it is down to the way they educate their players (in Spain). This is a concentration on technique.”

Wenger sees similar qualities of Spain in his squad.

“Here at Arsenal, we are starting to have a little generation of players from England who are similar,” he said. “(Alex Oxlade) Chamberlain, Wilshere, (Kieran) Gibbs has good technical level, and we have some young players behind who are similar.

“I think we will see even more and more because the whole world tries to produce these types of players.”