Santi Cazorla: "I had contact with Real Madrid"

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has admitted that he has "had contact" with Real Madrid in the past, but insists that he doesn't regret a potential move falling through.

The Spaniard, who has made 58 appearances for the Gunners, claims that the reason he didn't join one of the giants of La Liga was down to "destiny". "Those two clubs [Barcelona and Real Madrid] are monuments of Spanish football," the 29-year-old told French publication RMC. "They make all players dream. I had contact with Madrid a few years ago, but it didn't come off. "Several times, destiny has meant that I haven't been able to join one of those two clubs. But my career has just happened like that, and I don't regret anything."

Cazorla has scored 16 goals for the North London outfit since joining from Malaga in 2012.