Santi Cazorla signs new Arsenal contract: Playmaker won't be going to Atletico Madrid after signing new contract

Cazorla had coveted interest from Atletico Madrid

Santi Cazorla models Arsenal's new home shirt (GETTY IMAGES)

Santi Cazorla signed a new contract at Arsenal today, ending speculation that he will leave the club to join Atletico Madrid this summer.

At the end of last season, reports in Spain claimed that the playmaker was interested in a move back to his native country, but now he will stay on a the Emirates next season, signing a new deal for a reported three years.

Cazorla, 30, was one of the standout performers in the Arsenal squad last season, as the Gunners finished third and retained the FA Cup.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said after the announcement that Cazorla, as well as forward Theo Walcott had signed new deals: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.

"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”

Cazorla joined the club from Malaga in 2012.