Arsene Wenger has revealed that Robert Pires convinced him to sign Santi Cazorla.

30-year-old Cazorla joined the North London club from Malaga back in 2012 after he had played alongside Gunners legend Pires at Villarreal.

Wenger admitted that he had watched Cazorla earlier in his career but was compelled to sign him after reassurances from French great Pires.

"I think I first saw him when he was about 20 or 21," said Wenger.

"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."