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Cazorla injury update: Arsenal star outlines return date

By on May 1, 2018

Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has confirmed he hopes to make his long-awaited return from injury before the end of the season and play some part in our run-in.

Cazorla has been on the sidelines since aggravating his Achilles injury during a 6-0 Champions League group stage victory over Ludogorets in October 2016.

The Spaniard has endured a nightmare 18 months that’s seen him undergo nine operations and he even had to have a skin graft from his arm to heal the wound after it became infected.

There was even talk of Santi having to have his foot amputated if treatment didn’t work but thankfully he’s been on the road to recovery in recent months and is on his way back to full fitness.

Cazorla stepped up his rehabilitation by training on the Emirates pitch ahead of our Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid last week and it seems he’s hoping to make a surprise appearance before the end of the season.

The 33-year-old has confirmed his plan is to continue to build on his fitness over the coming weeks with the aim of playing with the first team before the end of the campaign.

Cazorla told AS via the Mirror:

“I’ve still got some way to go, because after being sidelined for 18 months, everything has to be done in its own time. But the sensations I have keep getting better and I’m feeling optimistic about the future,”

“The objective is to play some part with the team before the season ends, but we have to take things carefully.

“After being out for so long it will take a while to get back into form, it’s a real struggle, but when you have been out like I have, you also notice pains elsewhere – apart from what I’ve had with my tendon.

“But all of that must mean that I am doing things right, and I hope to be back as soon as possible.”

It’s great to hear Santi being so positive but I’d personally be shocked if he played for Arsenal this season. There is only two weeks before the Premier League season is over and I can’t see Cazorla being fit enough to play inside that time-frame.

Our campaign could be extended if we reach the Europa League final but Wenger would be mad to even consider Santi in a game of such magnitude given he’s been out for 18 months.

So sadly I don’t think we’ll see him in an Arsenal shirt this season and we may never see it happen again as his contract expires in June and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be offered a new deal.