Santi Cazorla has another operation on nightmare Achilles injury to delay Arsenal comeback even longer

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Santi Cazorla will undergo another operation on the Achilles injury that he suffered over a year ago, further delaying his Arsenal comeback.

The 32-year-old midfielder has not played since suffering the ankle injury in the Champions League win over Ludogorets in October 2016, and has had to undergo multiple operations in an effort to save his football career.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted earlier this month that Cazorla is slowly edging towards a return in the new year, but that he had suffered the “worst injury I have known” and would require considerable rehabilitation before a comeback date could be pencilled in.

The unfortunate Cazorla will now have to wait even longer before he returns to the pitch, after revealing on social media that he has undergone a ninth procedure on his ankle after experiencing pain in his foot over the last few days.

The Spaniard posted on Twitter on Wednesday morning: “Because of some discomfort with the tendon that reappeared in the last few days, I have had to undergo surgery. It will put back my return to the pitch, but I maintain the desire and hunger to once again enjoy my great passion, football.”

Cazorla contracted gangrene during his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery, and had 8cm removed from his Achilles tendon as well as having a skin graft from his arm to cover the wound. At one point, Cazorla was facing the very real threat of having his right foot amputated, and there remains doubt over his potential to ever return to professional football after a number of setbacks.

“It is the worst injury I have known,” Wenger said earlier this month. “Starting with a pain in the Achilles, and it has gone from worse to worse. I must say I know how much Santi loves to play football and loves to be out there every day. I feel very sorry for what happened to him, because it is unbelievable.”

Cazorla has been recovering in Spain throughout his nightmare ordeal, and has not been in regular contact with Wenger, but rather the clubs medical staff. It was hoped that the Spaniard could return to Arsenal training in January, although Wenger was sceptical on that front, and his doubts have materialised following the latest operation.

The injury has robbed Arsenal of their most creative midfielder, over the last 13 months, and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, there is still no guarantee that he will be seen in the Arsenal first-team again.