Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla steps up recovery as he claims he is getting 'closer' to a return to action
- Santi Cazorla worked out as he returns to fitness ahead of the 2017-18 campaign
- Cazorla last played in October in a 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets
- He had suffered repeated setbacks in his recovery from an achilles tendon injury
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has given fans a much-wanted update on his recovery as he shared a picture of himself during a workout at a gym back home in Spain.
Cazorla took to Instagram to post a photo of himself smiling in his gym gear, accompanied by the caption: 'Keep pushing!! One day more, one day closer! @arsenal @premierleague'.
Reports had suggested a return was still well away but the Spaniard has made it clear that such talk is wide of the mark.
Santi Cazorla posted a picture of himself inside the gym saying he was 'one day closer'
The Spanish midfielder missed most of last season due to an ongoing ankle injury
The 32-year-old has been out injured since October, following the recurrence of an ankle problem during the 6-0 Champions League group-stage victory over Ludogorets.
The injury was initially thought to be just an ankle knock and he was expected to return within a few days for Arsene Wenger's side.
However Cazorla suffered a series of setbacks in his recovery and eventually required surgery on his achilles tendon.
It meant he was ruled out for the rest of the season - it was another campaign disrupted by injury following similar achilles problems in 2015-16.
Despite Cazorla's long-term injury, Arsenal took up the option to extend his contract for an extra year until 2018.
The 32-year-old has not played for Arsenal since October due to the problem
Most watched Sport videos
- Heartwarming moment NY Red Bulls players give their coats to mascots
- Steph Houghton trains with England team mates ahead of World Cup
- Gareth Southgate comments on design change of new England shirt
- Fake clip claiming to show Swift and Kelce falling off a swing
- New York Jets star Sauce Gardner claims Jewish people 'run the world'
- Kelce dances to Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' on the golf course
- Travis and Jason Kelce CLASH over who would win a drinking contest
- A brawl erupts between Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs fans
- NRL star Liam Knight dying his hair a very white blonde
- David Seaman on Southgate, England & EURO 2024
- YouTuber buys Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700k Rolls-Royce
- Kate Abdo's partner broken speaks on Carragher's 'loyalty' joke