Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen excited by Santi Cazorla

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has declared that he has been impressed with new signing Santi Cazorla in his first training sessions with the club.

The Belgian international has a host of new faces to play with this season, with Cazorla joining Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud in making the move to North London.

Vermaelen told the club's official website: "The squad looks strong, everyone looks fit and sharp and it is good that we have so many new players as well.

"Cazorla has trained two or three times and he fits in really well with the Arsenal philosophy and how we want to play. He is a great signing."

Arsenal are training in Germany ahead of their final pre-season friendly against FC Cologne on Sunday, August 12.