Santi Cazorla has revealed he wants to sign a new contract at Arsenal.

What's the word?

Cazorla has established himself as a bit of a cult hero since arriving from Malaga in summer 2012, famed for his seemingly equal ability with both feet and knack of occasionally producing the sublime - whether that be a long-range free kick in the FA Cup final or a Man of the Match performance against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium,

But Cazorla's contract is due to expire at the end of the season - although Arsenal may have the undeclared option of a previously agreed extension - and due to turn 32 in December, his future remains a little unclear.

Talking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Cazorla has revealed he wants to sign a new contract with the north Londoners. As quoted by Sky Sports, he said; "I am happy here. I am trusted by the manager and my team-mates. I am feeling important here, and if they'll offer me a new contract, I'll sign it because I am very happy with this great club."

Arsenal v Southampton - Premier League

Does Cazorla deserve a new deal? Do Arsenal still need him?

Cazorla's a phenomenal talent, but the coming birthday suggests the Arsenal playmaker is nearing the end of his peak. He's already been forced to make the transition from the wing to central midfield due to his declining physicality and the Gunners now have a number of alternatives in the engine room - so many, in fact, that they had to send Jack Wilshere out on loan to guarantee him game-time this season.

That being said, Cazorla's a bit of a rare breed. Athleticism isn't too much of an issue when you're blessed with two fantastic feet and the vision to match, which is what makes the Spaniard such an effective central midfielder.

We're not saying he's the same calibre as Paul Scholes but it's a similar situation, of gained intelligence through experience only improving a stand-out technical talent.

On the other hand, Arsenal have knack of holding onto players for too long - Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky being more recent examples. If they offer Cazorla a new long-term deal, they may come to regret it in a year's time. So perhaps the solution is a one or two-year extension, in a similar manner to Chelsea's policy regarding players over 30.