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Wenger offers injury update on forgotten Arsenal star
Arsene Wenger has provided an injury update on Santi Cazorla and revealed that the forgotten midfielder is on course to returning after Christmas.
Cazorla hasn’t featured for Arsenal since aggravating an Achilles injury during our Champions League clash with Ludagorets in October of last season.
The 32-year-old has been plagued by ankle problems over the past two years as he’s made just nine Premier League appearances since November 2015.
The latest Achilles injury has been an absolute nightmare as he’s been forced to undergo eight separate operations to try and cure the troublesome problem.
However, it looks like the Spaniard is finally on the road to recovery as he’s been posting updates on social media of his rehabilitation in the gym in recent weeks.
Wenger was asked for an update on Cazorla’s fitness following last night’s 2-0 win over West Brom and he revealed that the initial signs are positive that Santi has overcome his Achilles injuries.
However, considering the playmaker has been out for so long, the boss has confirmed he’s going to need to play a few games for the reserves so won’t be back in the first team until after Christmas.
Wenger is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.
“The first signs are positive. But still he has not played for one and a half years. It won’t be before Christmas.
“He is not in full training yet, he needs a few games with the reserve team. So I think if all goes well, it will be after Christmas.”
Understandably, the club aren’t taking any risks with Cazorla and are giving him all the time he needs to get back to action without suffering any further setbacks.
As long as he makes a successful return to the playing pitch over the coming weeks, we should see Santi play some part with the first team during the second half of the season which will be a huge boost.