Spaniard delighted with his start to life in the Premier League.
Santi Cazorla says he is delighted with the first seven months of his Arsenal career but has admitted things have not gone entirely to plan on the pitch.
The Spaniard joined the Gunners from Malaga in the summer and has been one of few bright spots in a disappointing season for Arsene Wenger’s side.
The 26-year-old has scored 11 Premier League goals from midfield and formed a stylish partnership with England international Jack Wilshere, 20.
“I think I’ve had a positive seven months personally as I have been able to come to a team like Arsenal and play in a great league like the Premier League,” Cazorla told www.arsenal.com.
“It is a bit different to La Liga in Spain but I’ve adapted very well and I think Arsenal’s style of play has made it a lot easier for me.”
Arsenal have crashed out of both domestic cups to lower league opposition this season, and are trailing Bayern Munich ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg next week.
The north London outfit currently sit fifth in the Premier League, five points behind fourth placed Chelsea and seven behind arch-rivals Tottenham, following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.
Cazorla came off the bench in the FA Cup defeat to Blackburn but did start the dismal Capital One Cup draw with League Two Bradford City – a match the Gunners eventually lost on penalties.
The former Villareal playmaker is aware that things haven’t gone entirely smoothly for club and says consistency is the key to improving their form.
“On the pitch, we have definitely had our ups and downs, there have been good times and bad times,” he added.
“I think that the team has lacked a bit of consistency and sometimes we have made mistakes that have cost us dearly. Removing these from our game will help us improve in the future.
“But it hasn’t been difficult adapting to Arsenal’s style of play or even to the Premier League. It is a bit different to La Liga in Spain but I’ve adapted very well and I think Arsenal’s style of play has made it a lot easier for me.
“I was expecting to come into a league that would be a bit more physical, a bit quicker, and had a greater intensity than what I was used to. I was prepared for that, especially the physical side, so I don’t think it was hard for me to adapt.”
At 28, the Spain international – who was won the European Championship twice – felt last summer was the right time to move in his career.
“That was the leap I wanted to make.
“I wanted to go to a big club and an historic club like Arsenal. I’m happy here. The club’s influence is enormous and it’s incredible that it has so many fans around the world because that means it really is a massive club.
“Generally, I’m happy with everything here because the club treats its players so well.”
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