Santi Cazorla 'starting from zero' as Arsenal star battles to save career following ninth achilles op

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Santi Cazorla is 'starting from zero' in his bid to save his career.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who is out of contract in the summer, last week underwent a ninth operation on the achilles injury which has sidelined him since October 2016. 

Wenger had initially hoped the Spaniard could return in January but now he fears for his future after the latest setback.

Santi Cazorla’s latest injury setback could spell the end of his Arsenal career

On Wednesday Wenger told the Evening Standard: 'I sent him a message because he had a new surgery and wished him well.

'He answered 'look I have to start again, from zero basically' and it is very sad, honestly. What he has gone through this guy is unbelievable. We speak about players being happy or not happy, that is a real pain because it is really, really sad but unfortunately he has to start again from zero.

'That means if all goes well he has to wait until he can run and after when he starts to run it will be at least six weeks to come back to training. When he will be able to run again I don't know.

'I was hopeful of January but after, he had this setback that everybody knows about.' 

The 32-year-old hasn't played for the Gunners in 14 months since suffering an achilles injury

Arsenal boss Wenger had initially hoped the Spanish playmaker could return in January