
Midfield maestro Santi Cazorla believes Arsenal can topple Chelsea in the Premier League and challenge the Spanish clubs in the Champions League.

"I don't think we are inferior to the Spanish clubs or Bayern Munich," Cazorla, pictured after scoring against Fulham in January 2014, told CNN. "We are very strong too and can be at that level next season."

Cazorla hailed last year's signing Alexis Sanchez as the player of the season. The forward scored 21 goals in his debut Arsenal campaign before going on to help Chile win the Copa America on home soil.

In Sanchez's absence, England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played a starring role with the only goal against Chelsea in the curtain-raiser to the new English season.

Arsenal's new goalkeeper Petr Cech kept a clean sheet against his old club in the FA Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium on August 2.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (back turned) ended a 13-match winless run against his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho (left).

The victory, along with other preseason successes, has raised hopes that Arsenal can end an 11-season wait for a Premier League title.

Cazorla has enjoyed plenty of international success, winning Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 with Spain.