Santi Cazorla travels to Germany with the 24-man Arsenal squad to face Cologne FC in the last pre season friendly despite his transfer yet to go through.
The 27 year old completed his medical over the last weekend and joined his new team mates as they fly to Germany to face Cologne in their final preparatory fixture before the season kicks off. The Malaga star cost the Gunners’ £17m although the La Liga club were pressing for a higher fee initially. The details of the transfer deal have already been sorted out and all that remains are formalities which would be completed anytime soon.
Malaga, who are currently going through a financial crisis and possible change in ownership, gave permission to Arsene Wenger to take Cazorla along to Germany. Part of the 24-man squad is their want away captain and talisman Robin Van Persie whose future at the London club still seems shrouded with doubts. With reports of a deal having been already struck with Juventus, this game could very well be the farewell to the Dutch Master’s Arsenal career.
New signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud also travel after being rested for the club’s Asian tour given their international commitments during Euros. Sebastian Squillaci and Nicklas Bendtner are expectedly left out of the squad as Wenger has declared that both of them would leave the Emirates this summer.