Arsene Wenger has been busy once again and has secured the future of veteran midfield Santi Cazorla, The Daily Mirror reports.

What's the word?

After recently signing Francis Coquelin, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny to new deals, before activating an extension clause in the contract of Per Mertesacker, Arsene Wenger has been busy with internal deals once again to secure a similar clause in Santi Cazorla's deal.

The Spaniard, who remains sidelined through injury, is an influential member of the North London side and the Gunners have struggled to find a replacement in the side during his absence, with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey both lacking the necessary attributes.

Cazorla, 32, saw his contract due to expire at the end of the season- but an FA slip-up has revealed Arsenal have extended his deal.

Is this the right move?

Arsene Wenger has been accused of being too sentimental to his players, a criticism that reared it's head again this week following the decision to hand Mertesacker another year at the club despite the German not playing since last April, but Cazorla is an understandable move.

Despite his age, Cazorla is a first-choice option for the Gunners when fit and Arsenal's troubles without his services prove his importance to the side. However, his injury means he may not feature again before the end of the season.

Arsenal need to find a long-term replacement for the Spaniard but that is easier said than done, so securing Cazorla to a short-term deal whilst they find a longer solution is the right move.

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