The FA have confirmed that Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has signed a contract extension with the Gunners although the club are yet to announce the deal, according to reports in Metro.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires in the summer, meaning that the midfield maestro was free to sign a pre-contract with clubs outside England this month.
Arsene Wenger recently revealed that the club will activate a one-year option on the Spanish maestro’s contract and it now seems the deal is already signed.
The Football Association have confirmed on their official website that the North London club triggered Cazorla’s contract extension on the 20th of December.
In the FA’s list of ‘Players under Written Contract Registered’ from last month, the midfielder is shown to have been registered meaning that the club seems to have activated the one-year extension on the player.
Wenger last week announced that Mertesacker’s deal has been extended by one-year, but there hasn’t been any confirmation as far as Cazorla is concerned. However, it appears that it’s only a matter of days before the club will officially announce the deal.
The 32-year-old who joined the Gunners for £16m in 2012, has been an integral part of the team since moving to the Emirates. He has suffered a serious injury in each of the past two years after not having any serious injury setback previously.
It’s great to have him at the club for one more year and it shouldn’t be a problem extending it further. He is immensely talented and everyone likes him, but to rely on him as we did for the past few years is very risky.
What the Spaniard brought to the team can’t be replicated by anyone else in that midfield other than perhaps Ramsey or Wilshere, if given the chance.
I don’t doubt the depth of this midfield, for we do have a wealth of options but it remains to be seen who will grasp the opportunity when it does arrive.
