Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta Reuters

Santi Cazorla has revealed he wants Barcelona star midfielder Andres Iniesta to leave Camp Nou and join him at Arsenal.

The 29-year-old has been a key player in the Catalan club's success in recent years, along with his compatriot Xavi and Lionel Messi. Cazorla and Iniesta are a part of Spain's national team and the Gunners playmaker is keen that Barcelona midfielder could make a switch to the Emirates.

Earlier this week, Cazorla admitted that he is persuading Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas to join him at the north London club. The stopper's future at the Spanish capital club remains uncertain as he has seen his appearances being limited.

After trying to get Casillas to join the Gunners, Cazorla is keen that international teammate Iniesta could also leave the La Liga champions for Arsenal.

"Andres Iniesta is the one I'd pick [to join Arsenal]. There's no player like him," the Metro quoted Cazorla as saying.

The Barcelona star was linked with a move to Arsenal's league rivals Manchester United in the January transfer window. However, all reports surrounding Iniesta's future were put to bed when he signed a new three-year deal to extend his stay at Camp Nou till 2018.

Arsenal have the transfer budget on bringing Iniesta to the Emirates as Arsene Wenger has already landed Mesut Ozil for a club record transfer fee of £42.5m from Madrid last summer. However, persuading Iniesta to leave his club could be a difficult task for the French manager as the midfielder is eyeing to end his career with his current employers.

Iniesta has managed three goals and registered seven assists in 29 league appearances this season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has set his sights on making it to the final of the FA Cup. The Gunners face last season's winner Wigan Athletic in the semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.

"It is the biggest cup in the world and a big tradition. The Premier League title is the best one in England but I think when you have a chance to win the FA Cup, you have to give 110 per cent to win. We have the chance now and we have to fight for this," Podolski told Arsenal's official website.