Premier League's top 10 dribblers

Dribbling has been described as an art form, as pace wingers and creative maestros slalom in between opposing players. The Premier League boasts some of the best dribblers and technicians in world football,Thanks to Opta, we bring to you the Premier League's top ten dribblers, in order of most dribbles completed (stats correct up to 13 December 2012).



Newcastle's slaloming Frenchman is top of the tree, completing over half of his attempted dribbles. Ben Arfa's impressive ability with the ball at his feet also sees him top the list as Europe's best dribbler so far this season.

Suarez has been Liverpool's talisman so far this season, finally finding his goal scoring boots with ten league goals. The Uruguyan is also leading the charts with the most attempted dribbles, however he has been pipped to top spot in terms of completed dribbles.

At joint third are Santi Cazorla is enjoying his brilliant debut seasons in the Premier League, with Cazorla showing just why he is one of Europe's top midfielders.

Raheem Sterling to become a "special talent" for Liverpool in the future, the wonder-kid justifies the hype surround his fledging talent.

West Ham's midfield enforcer come in at joint fifth, Diame joined West Ham from Wigan last summer for a fee of £5.5million.

QPR's Moroccan magician continues to impress despite they are still in search for a win.

QPR's Samba Diakite is arguably surprising entrants, He is very effective going forward, completing 30 dribbles this season.

Newcastle's Davide Santon is one of the most underrated player in Premier League with 30 dribbles completed this season.

Tottenham's understated powerhouse comes in at nine. Dembele has been a revelation since arriving in the Premier League, and has continued to impress since joining Tottenham earlier in the season.

At number ten is Chelsea's Belgian wizard Eden Hazard. The attacker has flourished since joining the European champions this summer and rightfully features in this list.

Cazorla Reveals Barcelona Inspiration

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says he tries to model his game on Barcelona schemer Andres Iniesta.



The Spanish midfielder has set the Premier League alight since his summer switch from Malaga, playing an integral part in Arsenal's impressive start to the season.



And Cazorla says he owes his success down to how he models his game around his international colleague Iniesta.



"Iniesta is the standard against which I measure myself," Cazorla admitted. "Playing by his side is something else. He's a total footballer in every sense.



"Every day with him is something to treasure and learn from. I try to copy the things he does, but it's very difficult. The problem is that when he does them he makes them look easy, but then you try it and you get all tangled up. Andrés is a role model on and off the pitch."



The 27 year old's impact for Arsenal has been such that many already consider him among the signings of the summer, and his early success in north London was capped with his first goal in the win over West Ham United.



Cazorla's performances have evoked memories of Cesc Fabregas' influence in midfield during his days at The Emirates Stadium, with the former Villarreal midfielder supplying the bullets for the likes of Lukas Podolski and Gervinho.



"I've adapted to my new team really well," Cazorla added.



"The change hasn't been as drastic as you might think. The football is quicker and more intense, but I wasn't shocked by that. Plus I've joined a team, Arsenal, whose playing style is very similar to the one at Málaga."



Meanwhile, Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone has against quashed rumours of a move away from The Gunners.



Despite stepping in ably for the injured Wojciech Szczesny for much of the campaign, Mannone has been linked with a move to his homeland on a regular basis.



But the 24 year old said: "I want to make it clear, because there have been unfounded rumours, that my contract is not ending in 12 months.



"I've got a few more years and I'm happy to be at Arsenal right now. I'm looking at the present and my future is not in doubt.



"I want to stay at Arsenal as long as I can, I don't want to move to any other club."

Arsenal sign Spain ace Cazorla

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Spain international midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga.



The 27-year-old has signed a long-term deal with the Gunners after joining for an undisclosed fee.

The attacking midfielder has won 45 caps for Spain and was a member of their victorious 2008 and 2012 European Championships squads.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad.

"He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset. We are delighted that he is joining us."

Cazorla, who was Spanish Player of the Year in 2007, added: "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support.

"The club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.



"I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy."

Cazorla set to sign in the next 48 hours

Arsenal are on the verge of signing midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga according to reports in the Spanish media.



And the Malaga playmaker could complete his move to the Emirates Stadium in the next 48 hours.

The Gunners are likely to get the player slightly cheaper than Malaga would wish, due to the financial turmoil at the Estadio La Rosaleda.

Cazorla joined Malaga just 12 months ago for €19m, and his performances helped the team to fourth spot in La Liga and a Champions League qualifying spot.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is looking for an increase on that outlay, but the club have admitted since they are embarking in some "internal financial restructuring".



"To sell him for €20m would be to give him away - I do not believe the club would do that," Pellegrini, said last week.

Arsenal hopeful of Cazorla & Nuri Sahin deals

Arsenal are working on deals to sign Santi Cazorla from Malaga permanently and fellow midfielder Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid.

The transfer of Cazorla, a 27-year-old Spain international, is complicated by Malaga's financial problems and a possible takeover of the club.



Turkey international Sahin, 23, will join on a season-long basis if the player and clubs reach an agreement.

Arsenal hope both deals can be sealed before the new campaign gets under way.

The Gunners start at home to Sunderland on 18 August.

They have already signed Germany forward Lukas Podolski from Cologne and France striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

But doubts remain over the future of captain Robin van Persie, who has said he will not extend his current contract which expires in 2013.

The pursuit of Cazorla and Sahin is unrelated to Van Persie but has been accelerated by news that Jack Wilshere will not play before October as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Cazorla, who joined Malaga from Villarreal last summer, stands at 5ft 6ins and featured for Spain at the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.



Real Madrid signed Sahin from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year contract in May 2011 but he has struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu and Real boss Jose Mourinho would let him leave on loan.

Cazorla set for medical for Arsenal

Spanish international Santi Cazorla is due to fly into London this week for a medical with Arsenal.

Cazorla with Mata during celebration of Euro 2012

The Malaga midfielder wants to quit the troubled club - whose Qatarian owners are looking to sell.



Despite a takeover looking likely, Cazorla is pressing for his sale to go through and he looks set to get his wish.



A deal worth around €22million (£17.3million) looks set to be agreed between the two clubs.



The player's representatives have already held talks with Arsenal and they are happy with the proposed deal on offer at the Emirates.



Malaga paid €19million to Villarreal just 12 months ago, but they have huge unpaid debts of around €40million which need settling this week.



Talks with Albanian oil company Taci have broken down and, whilst there is Russian and Middle East interest, the deal to sell Cazorla looks like it is needed to help sort out their current mess.



Sky Sports understands that Cazorla should be in England within the next 48 hours to conclude a deal, which would be a major coup for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

The 27-year-old, a regular in Spain's all-conquering international squad, helped Malaga into the top four in La Liga last season.