Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Karim Benzema joining Arsenal from Real Madrid unlikely - Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla says he does not know if Arsenal are interested in Karim Benzema but does not expect Arsene Wenger to buy another striker.

Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Real Madrid star Benzema despite repeated denials from all parties, including Wenger.

Speaking to COPE radio show "El Partido de las 12," Cazorla said: "The coach has spoken about that. I would not know if there was interest or not.

"Benzema is a great player. Everyone would like to have him in their team. Benzema would fit in any team in the world, with the quality he has, and he would adapt very well, but the coach already has his team made, and probably will not look for another forward."

Wenger has a host of attacking options at present in Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, who signed a contract extension last week along with Cazorla.

Cazorla, 30, confirmed he had committed to a new two-year deal and played down speculation linking him with a move to Atletico Madrid earlier this summer.

"Nobody called me," Cazorla said. "I read many things in the press, but nothing serious was communicated to us. I was very relaxed all summer, and there was no option to leave Arsenal."

The Spain international said he is enjoying playing a new deeper role in the Gunners midfield.

After joining from Malaga in summer 2012, Cazorla was mostly used in an attacking midfield role, generally playing in a line of three behind the central striker, but last season he often featured further back as one of two central midfielders.

He said the positional switch had been down to the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona last year, and added: "I am more involved, feel a very important responsibility inside the team. I have noticed this change and am very happy with the new position."

Asked about the adaptation from his natural attacking style, the former Villarreal and Malaga playmaker joked: "I have not run so much since the youth team.

"I am often the last player, with a defensive task, and that is a bit more difficult. In the end it is a new position, but I like it a lot, and my teammates help me a lot."

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has said Cazorla's new role allows him to "control games" from the middle of the park, while still creating chances from a deep position.

The German told the club's official website: "[Cazorla] stands out every year. He played more on the wing when he first arrived and now he's more central, sitting and creating the chances from even deeper.

"He's controlling the game, and his skill with the ball is absolutely amazing to watch, but to play alongside him is even better."

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