Manchester United vs Arsenal: Juan Mata feels 'important' Santi Cazorla deserves more recognition in Spain
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla does not get the credit his talent deserves in his native Spain, according to Manchester United rival Juan Mata.
Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012, and has since become a vital player for the Gunners after being deployed in a deep-lying playmaker role by Arsene Wenger.
The 31-year-old has won 77 caps at international level, but has struggled for starts with Spain until recently given the world-class options La Roja have had in their trophy-laden recent past.
Asked whether it is case of out of sight, out of mind for Spanish fans ahead of their international friendly against England at Wembley, Cazorla's compatriot Mata told Marca: "I have thought about that sometimes and I have the feeling that maybe.
"When you do not play in Spain you are not on the daily radar of the newspapers. That importance we have in England sometimes does not reach us from Spain. Obviously, the national team manager and his staff watch our games.
"I do not think that [playing abroad] has an influence in the call-up [of the national team] but in the level of repercussion. The media do not talk too much about what happens here (in the Premier League).
"Obviously it's a fantastic league which deserves to be covered [by the media] but sometimes I think that [the Spanish media don't do it].
"Santi Cazorla comes to my mind. He is a super important player, one of Arsenal's captains and in Spain he is not so recognised."
With Cazorla's Arsenal set to face Mata's United at Old Trafford on Saturday, Mata says there is no doubting the English fans' appreciation of top-class players.
"Due to the success of the national team, several of us went to England," he added. "The bravest had done it before, but after us many followed because we are magnificently valued here.
"It is because of the quality and competitiveness that makes the Premier League so good."
Utd's Mata feels 'important' Arsenal star Cazorla is shunned by SpainArsenalManchester UnitedPremier LeagueJuan MataSanti CazorlaEngland Football TeamSpain football teaminternational football