Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has stated that talismanic midfielder, Santi Cazorla is no closer to a return as he has suffered a setback in his comeback from injury. The Spanish midfielder has gone through hell in the past 14 months, as he has reportedly gone through nine Achilles surgeries, with the last coming last week.
The 32-year-old former Malaga man has been out injured since October 2016 and was expected to return to full fitness in January, but with this latest setback, his return is not known.
Cazorla is one of Arsenal’s biggest stars, but his injury has kept him out of action for 14 months, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is not known whether he will be offered an extension.
Arsene Wenger has stated that he sent the player a text message, as Cazorla is distraught about having to start his rehabilitation from zero again. Cazorla recently granted an interview stating his horror injury, claiming that his leg almost got amputated.
Wenger was quoted as saying: “I sent him a message because he had a new surgery and wished him well,” Wenger told the Evening Standard. “He answered ‘look I have to start again, from zero basically’ and it is very sad, honestly. “What he has gone through this guy is unbelievable.
“We speak about players being happy or not happy, that is a real pain because it is really, really sad but unfortunately he has to start again from zero.” he added.
Cazorla is an attacking midfielder known for his attacking instincts and passing. He joined Arsenal in 2012 and has won three FA Cup titles in that time, making 180 appearances and scoring on 29 occasions.