Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Santi Cazorla Achilles tendon injury is the 'worst I have ever known' but remains confident Spaniard will return to action in January

  • Arsene Wenger believes Santi Cazorla's injury is 'worst he has known'
  • Spaniard suffered an Achilles tendon injury in October last year
  • He has needed eight surgeries since and a skin graft from his left arm
  • The tendon became infected with gangrene amid fears he might lose foot
  • But Cazorla is recovering and is expected to return to action in January
  • Arsenal host Tottenham in the north London derby on Saturday lunchtime 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said the Achilles tendon injury suffered by Santi Cazorla is 'the worst injury I have known'.

The Spanish star almost lost his foot to gangrene after contracting a dangerous infection during his recovery from a serious injury that has resulted in him losing eight centimetres of tendon from his right ankle.

The 32-year-old has not played for Arsenal since October 2016 and Wenger described the midfielder's ordeal as 'horrific'.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted the horrific injury to Santi Cazorla is 'the worst I have known' but believed the Spaniard will return to action in January

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted the horrific injury to Santi Cazorla is 'the worst I have known' but believed the Spaniard will return to action in January

The horrific Achilles tendon injury suffered by Cazorla and a skin graft from his lower arm

The horrific Achilles tendon injury suffered by Cazorla and a skin graft from his lower arm

Cazorla hasn't played for Arsenal since October last year following the Achilles tendon injury

Cazorla hasn't played for Arsenal since October last year following the Achilles tendon injury

Nonetheless, he hopes to include Cazorla in his squad for the second half of the season from January once he makes a full recovery.


Speaking ahead of Saturday's home north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Wenger said: 'It is the worst injury I have known.

'It started with a pain on the Achilles and it has gone from worse to worse. I know how much Cazorla loves to play football and be out there every day and I really feel sorry for what has happened to him.

'It is unbelievable. The last time I saw him was a month ago and I told him to prepare as well as he could and try to practise.

'I hope he comes back in January. I left him out of the squad but hoping he will be available in January.'

Cazorla is expected to be fit enough to return to action for Arsenal in January next year 

Cazorla is expected to be fit enough to return to action for Arsenal in January next year 

Wenger was speaking ahead of Arsenal's home North London derby against Tottenham

Wenger was speaking ahead of Arsenal's home North London derby against Tottenham

Arsenal fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

Saturday Tottenham Hotspur (H)

November 23 Cologne (A)

Europa League group stage

November 26 Burnley (A)

November 29 Huddersfield Town (H)

December 2 Manchester United (H)

December 7 BATE Borisov (H)

Europa League group stage 

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Asked if there are fears Cazorla may never play football again, Wenger added: 'I hope that you are wrong.'

In an emotional interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca earlier this month, Cazorla told of the devastation of suffering the injury and the long route to recovery.

A series of images showed in graphic detail the results of going under the knife eight times within the space of a year to fix his tendons.

One photo showed the skin graft which has left him with a section of tattooed skin from his left arm now covering his Achilles area.

Cazorla also revealed there was serious consideration as to whether they should amputate his foot after he contracted the potentially life-threatening infection.

Cazorla told Marca: 'If you get to walk again with your son in the garden, be satisfied, they told me.'

Cazorla converts a penalty against Southampton the month before suffering the injury

Cazorla converts a penalty against Southampton the month before suffering the injury

Cazorla feared he would lose his foot at one point but is now expected to return to football

Cazorla feared he would lose his foot at one point but is now expected to return to football

'He [Dr Mikel Sanchez] saw that I had a tremendous infection, that I had damaged part of the calcaneus bone and it had eaten the Achilles tendon. There was eight centimetres of it missing!

'I do not have clearance until January, but I will come back by then.'

Cazorla is continuing his rehabilitation in his hometown of Salamanca but Arsene Wenger recently revealed that he is ready to welcome the diminutive playmaker back to his squad after the Christmas period.

He recently said: 'The first signs are positive, but still he has not played for one and a half years.

'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.'

Wenger confirmed Arsenal with be without striker Olivier Giroud for the match at the Emirates Stadium and Alex Iwobi will need a late fitness check after returning from international duty with Nigeria. 

Danny Welbeck and Shkodran Mustafi will also need to be assessed on Friday, but Laurent Koscielny is expected to be fit after not playing for France against Germany on Tuesday night. 

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