Arsenal must show they can challenge for the title if they want to keep Santi Cazorla at the club.

That is the opinion of Spanish football expert Guillem Balague who suggests the Gunners must prove to the playmaker that they are genuine Premier League title contenders in order to keep him away from Atletico Madrid who are showing considerable interest.

Cazorla is contracted at the Emirates Stadium until next summer but can start talking to interested clubs in January next year regarding pre-contract agreements.

"I believe Santi has got a year remaining on his current contract," Balague said.

"It's down to Arsenal to convince him they can win the league because they really have improved this season.

"If they sign another two or three top players then you're talking about a team who can challenge for the title next season.

"It's a matter of whether Arsenal can convince him that this is the case because he can always go back to Spain.

"He would be welcomed with open arms at any time by Atletico Madrid, but it's Arsenal's job to convince him that they can challenge for the title."