Santi Cazorla: Arsenal midfielder's comeback delayed by further surgery

Last updated on 29 November 2017.From the section Arsenal80

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla's comeback has been delayed because he has had further ankle surgery.

The 32-year-old revealed the news on social media and said he had been having some pain in his tendon.

Doctors told the Spain international that he should be "satisfied" to walk again after contracting gangrene in his right ankle.

Cazorla last played for the Gunners in October 2016, two months before having his initial operation.

He was forced to have skin removed from his arm and grafted onto his leg after the infection left him with "eight centimetres missing" from his Achilles tendon.

A return to football in the new year had been predicted, but it is now unclear when he will make his comeback.

Manchester United's Juan Mata and Valencia's Gabriel Paulista are among those to have sent messages of support to Cazorla.

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Comment posted by GazCFC, at 12:11 29 Nov 2017
Always had him in my dreamteam, hope he recovers enough to enjoy life.
Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 11:54 29 Nov 2017
@6, Have to enjoy the Irony of somebody with the user name Lukaku calling a player overrated.

If anything Santi is underrated; take a look at Arsenal's record, before his long term injury, in the games when he played and when he didn't play.

Still hope he comes back, as he is one of the best players in the premier league, and gives the impression of being a decent bloke as well.
Comment posted by Dubbus, at 12:26 29 Nov 2017
Santi owes nothing to the game. He has been a fantastic player and would no doubt get a role still in the game if he decides to hang up his boots.

No disgrace in it

Being able to walk and enjoy the rest of your life is more important than possibly two more seasons at top flight football.
Comment posted by Delmax1950, at 11:47 29 Nov 2017
What a great shame. A very gifted player and a decent person. If he does retire, must be a place for him on the coaching staff at the club?
Comment posted by Vox Populi, at 13:38 29 Nov 2017
Speaking as a neutral, Cazorla has been one of Arsenal's best players in the last few years and certainly a wonderful player to watch. I was shocked by the complications he's had with his injury. I don't know if he will return, but it's a shame when such a gifted player with technical quality and flair suffers career-threatening injury. I wish him all the best in his recovery and for the future.
Comment posted by firstfive, at 11:33 29 Nov 2017
Santi needs some good luck after that horrible run of bad luck. Get back soon, your playing style is missed.
Comment posted by When is it going to end Robbie, at 13:28 29 Nov 2017
Speaking as a United fan this is sad to hear. Classy player and classy person.
Comment posted by OssieWaddledintoHoddlesVilla, at 13:38 29 Nov 2017
Rivalry aside, that's one of the nastiest things I've heard of happen to a footballer. A tough ordeal for any man let alone a sportsman. At his age he has to realise it's nearly over anyway, and his long term mobility should come first. A very good player on his day.
Comment posted by GK1, at 12:46 29 Nov 2017
Such a shame. Hope he gets fit enough to come back. Everyone talks about Ozil and Sanchez being Arsenals best players. It simply isn't true. Cazorla has been Arsenals best player ever since he joined the club.
Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 12:47 29 Nov 2017
Horrific injury to a very, very good player.

Hopefully a speedy recovery as he's great to watch.
Comment posted by N17, at 17:19 29 Nov 2017
Even as a rival, I wish Santi all the best in his recovery, a good footballer and doesn't deserve a career threatening injury
Comment posted by Markyp1965, at 18:54 29 Nov 2017
Amongst the many overpaid and overrated players out there, you’ll find a few footballers that seem to play for the sheer joy of it and I think that Santi Cazorla definitely sits in the group.
Such a shame that this injury has prevented him from continuing to perform, especially when he was right at the top of his game.

As others have said, we may well have seen the last of his playing days.
Comment posted by Bird, at 19:22 29 Nov 2017
All the best for a full and speedy recovery from this United fan.

Class act as a player, class act while recovering from the awful setbacks he has endured.
Comment posted by Screenster, at 11:32 29 Nov 2017
He may be forced to retire at this rate. I've seen players of a similar age with cruciate injuries who decide to call it quits.
Comment posted by Jules, at 14:18 29 Nov 2017
As a MCFC fan I wish him a speedy recovery and I hope to see him playing again in the Premier League. Great player.
Comment posted by Coolverine, at 13:25 29 Nov 2017
Terrible news, hopefully he can recover.
Comment posted by footiefan81, at 14:32 29 Nov 2017
Sad news, regardless of who you support, Cazorla is a rolls royce of a footballer who it is a pleasure to watch play the game.
Comment posted by Lord Tomnus, at 16:25 29 Nov 2017
Awesome player. Arsenal fans must be fuming that Arsene Wenger never bought anyone replace him. Huge loss to Arsenal!
Comment posted by Struds, at 18:49 29 Nov 2017
I can't see Carzola making it back from such a long list of serious injuries. Brutally cut down at his career peak by such a rare problem.

In my opinion one of the greatest technicians the PL has ever seen. A genuinely two footed player.

Arsenal have really struggled without him. I can only imagine the destruction Sanchez & Ozil might have wreaked with him feeding them from the deep.
Comment posted by Bossdog, at 13:59 29 Nov 2017
19. Posted by CDawg

Obviously a Spurs fan

No Class No Trophy's