Arsene Wenger has praised the “extremely strong and brave” Santi Cazorla as the Spanish midfielder continues his battle to overcome a horrifying ankle injury.
Arsenal midfielder Cazorla revealed in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca that he almost had his foot amputated after suffering after losing eight centimetres of his Achilles tendon to an infenction.
The 32-year-old, who has not played for Arsenal since October 2016, was told he should be “satisfied” to walk again but is now hoping to make a comeback in the new year having begun a rehabilitation programme of swimming, pilates and cycling.
Wenger hopes to welcome Cazorla back in January and has admitted on more than one occasion since the injury that Arsenal are not the same without their diminutive playmaker.
“I have been in touch with Santi throughout his rehab, and it has been extremely tough and testing for him,” the boss told Arsenal Player.
“If there is one guy who loves football passionately, loves to be on the pitch, and comes in with a smile every day when he is fit, it’s Santi Cazorla, so you know he suffers a lot not to be out there with the ball at his feet.
“He is extremely strong and brave, and behind his smile is a strength you would not guess. He is a very strong character, and everyone at Arsenal wishes him well and we hope to have him back soon.”
Cazorla cannot be registered by Arsenal for Premier League fixtures until January but the Spain international is convinced he will be ready to play in less than two months.
“I’m not registered to play until January but I am going to return by then,” he told Marca. “My family are still in London because my children began school there. Being here [in Salamanca, where he is undergoing rehab] alone without them is the hardest thing.”
