Wenger hopes Cazorla recovers from 20-hour Panama travels to sit on Spain bench

Friday, November 16, 2012
8:16 AM

Arsene Wenger is happy that Santi Cazorla was given a rest by Spain but is still sweating over the midfielder after he was included in the world and European champions’ squad that travelled to Panama for a friendly this week.

The Arsenal boss will be hoping his jet-setting squad show few signs of wear and tear from this week’s travels as he plots the consequences ahead of tomorrow’s north London derby with Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

“I believe he [Cazorla] didn’t need games,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “He was overloaded with games so on that front I was happy that he got a little breather.

“It is not a complete breather because 20 hours travelling is of course not what we want. It’s the advantage and the disadvantage of being called up in a squad. At least he didn’t get injured and hopefully will recover before Saturday.”