Cazorla comeback in doubt as Arsenal star undergoes eighth surgery

Santi Cazorla’s spell on the sidelines could pass the one-year mark after the Arsenal star revealed that complications with surgery and recovery have once again reared their ugly head.

The 32-year-old suffered an Achilles injury in October, a blow he is still recovering from after having his eighth procedure on Monday, leaving a return date far from confirmed.

It has left the playmaker with what he called ‘the worst year of [his] career’, though he was offered a one-year contract prior to going under the knife, a sign of faith he is undoubtedly grateful for.

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“You feel like throwing in the towel but my desire to play football is above everything,” he said.

“I’ve undergone eight surgeries, the last one [on Monday]. I hope that things go better.

“I’ve had complications since November. I got a bacterial infection in surgery, my bone got infected, the wound would not close and I had a graft done.

“’I remember I had a bad spell with a back problem but this is worse because it doesn’t depend on me.

“Right now I can’t think about the future. I just want to return to playing.

“Arsenal have been very good to me. They gave me a contract extension before I had my surgery. [Arsene Wenger] spoke to me and reassured me.”