Cazorla helped Malaga qualify for the Champions League and then, left the club to join Arsenal in 2012.
Spain international, Santi Cazorla, joined Malaga from Villareal in 2011 for a fee of a 21 million and had a highly successful season with the Andalusian club. In his very first season at the club, the midfielder scored nine goals and provided eight assists to guide Malaga attain the first-ever Champions League qualification in the cluba s history. However, the very next season, Cazorla left Malaga and joined Arsenal in a swift move that shocked the Malaga fans.
The 30-year old has since been a key player under Arsene Wenger. Cazorla, recently explained that he had to leave Malaga as the club was going through some financial crisis and the move happened so suddenly that he could not properly bid goodbye to the Malaga fans.
“I left because the club needed money,” Cazorla said. “Arsenal was a good opportunity, but Malaga wasn’t stable and it wasn’t clear where they were headed.
“I know that in Malaga lots of people haven’t forgiven me for the way I left.
“When I signed for Arsenal, everything happened so quick, I had to go to London.
“Arsenal had already started their pre-season and I had to go over there for a medical, and then I had to go to Holland to start to train with the squad.
“That all meant that I couldn’t go to Malaga to hold a press conference to say goodbye to everyone face to face.
“In the end, I could only write a letter in which I expressed my gratitude and my affection for the club. I know a lot of people didn’t like that.
“I’d like to apologise for not being able to say goodbye properly as I know that would have been the best thing. It still bothers me that I didn’t get to do that for the fans.”
Cazorla made a A?15 million move to Arsenal and was sensational in his very first season for the Gunners. The Spaniard score 12 league goals and provided 11 assists in his debut season. Since joining Arsenal, Cazorla has been a vital part of Wengera s plans. He has shown versatility, sometimes playing his natural attacking role in the midfield and at other times shifting into a deeper position in the midfield.
The midfielder has scored seven goals and provided eight assists so far, this term.
