I doubted Cazorla would make it in Premier League.

The midfielder has shone over the past 12 months but his manager initially feared he may be too small to succeed in the Premier League

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he doubted Santi Cazorla would make it in the Premier League because of his lack of height.


The midfielder joined from Malaga in 2012 and starred last season in a central midfield role, having previously played out wide and as a No.10 in his first two seasons at the club.

Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "You could question whether he was physically equipped to play in the tough Premier League.

"It's true that I had that doubt but his quality was so big that I was ready to take that gamble.

"His technical quality, his right foot, left foot, his availability, his vision and the quality of his passing made me go for it.

"I thought: 'If there is a team in the Premier League where he has a chance to make it, it's with us.' That's why I went for it.



"I think I first saw him when he was about 20 or 21. He was not a regular player but, in some games we watched, you could see he had talent.

"After that, Robert Pires moved to Villarreal and played with him. Sometimes I asked Robert: 'Are there any good players there?' He said to me straight away: 'Cazorla is a fantastic player.' So Robert was a scout for me! He at least confirmed the impression I already had about Santi."