Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has dismissed claims that the Spanish national side are in decline.

Spain, who are the World Cup and European Championship holders, currently sit second in World Cup qualifying Group I, following back-to-back draws against France and Finland.

Those results mean that Vicente del Bosque's side are two points behind leaders France, who they are due to meet in Paris on Tuesday.

"Yes we made mistakes, we have dropped four points, but that happens in football," Cazorla told AS.

"Those dropped points must be added in France to regain first place. It makes no sense today to doubt this team.

"The team is hungry, wants to keep winning titles and you cannot talk about the end of a cycle."

Cazorla has been capped 52 times at senior international level, scoring eight goals.

Written by
Robert Summerscales