Santi Cazorla could be set for a return for Arsenal in the new year (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says injured midfielder Santi Cazorla could be in line for a return to the team after Christmas if all goes well.

The 32-year-old has suffered major injury problems for much of the last three seasons, playing just 23 Premier League matches in the two campaigns prior to this one.

Cazorla is yet to appear for Arsenal this season and has not played since last October, though Wenger has given the Spaniard some hope of returning to action soon.

The former Malaga man has been in some form of light training since the summer, uploading some pictures and videos of himself back in the gym via his Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXAWD9sFV-p/?taken-by=santicazorla

Cazorla, 32, has been out of action for almost a year (Picture: Getty)

However, Wenger ruled out the prospect of Cazorla returning before Christmas due to the sheer length of time he’s been out.

When asked when he could feature again, Wenger said: ‘Not before Christmas.

‘The first signs are positive, but still he has not played for one and a half years.

Cazorla has been a key player since joining Arsenal in 2012 (Picture: Getty)

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‘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.’

While Arsenal’s form has picked up of late, Wenger could do with Cazorla’s class and creativity in midfield after the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka have often struggled to reach top form in his absence.

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