Malaga have denied reports linking Spanish international Santi Cazorla with a move to Arsenal, insisting they are not trying to sell him. Arsene Wenger, however, confirmed his interest in the player, but admitted a deal was not close to being completed.
Reports suggested Cazorla had already agreed terms with Arsenal and made his intentions clear on a move to North London. With Malaga under severe financial strain, it was understood they would reluctantly let go of their star playmaker.
However, Sky Sports quoted a source at the club as saying Cazorla was not for sale. "Cazorla is not for sale, we do not talk about rumours in the press and our plans are not to even negotiate his exit," the source said."
Speaking to reporters after Arsenal's 2-1 friendly win against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Wenger admitted he was looking at Cazorla. "We are not close to signing Cazorla. We are still working that out."
The Gunners flirted with a loss for much of the second half against Malaysia XI, who had taken the lead in first-half stoppage time.
However, goals from youngsters Thomas Eisfeld and Chuks Aneke in the final five minutes of the game, ensured the Gunners registered a win, as thousands of Arsenal's massive Asian supporters cheered the team on.
Wenger changed the entire outfield in the second half, with most players getting a 45-minute run-out. "We played two sides and I felt both did well," Wenger told the club's official website.
"The first half was played at a high pace and overall it was a good workout for us against a good Malaysian team. My friend (Malaysia coach K Rajagopal) does a good job here because every year they play faster, quicker and stronger. We had to be patient to win the game. But the result was less important than the workout.
"I think we got the quality of the game we wanted and that is very positive. We got through it without any injuries and it was a good game.
Wenger admitted his side was far away from the physical fitness required, but said that was expected in a pre-season game. "We are far away physically and tactically we still have some work to do," the Frenchman said. "Technically it was not bad considering because the pitch was not easy and the pace of Malaysia was quite good.
"Overall we still have some tactical work to do and some physical work but don't forget that some players have only had two or three days training. Some others have only had a maximum of seven or eight so physically we are far from what we can produce."
Theo Walcott started the second half, but was taken off with a little over 70 minutes gone, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shone in a central midfield position. "He (Walcott) is one of the players who had two days training," Wenger said.
"I had planned to give him 25 minutes and in the end I feel he suffered a bit more than Oxlade-Chamberlain. That's why I chose to take him off."
