Arsenal star Santi Cazorla confirms he will be out for another FIVE months with ankle injury, but isn’t considering retiring
Gunners midfielder reveals his frustration after yet another knock but is determined to one day make it back to action
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ARSENAL star Santi Cazorla has confirmed he will be out for another FIVE months with an ankle injury.
The Gunners midfielder, 32, has been out of action since the 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets in October, having played just 11 times in 2016-17.
Cazorla also endured an injury-plagued 2015-16, turning out just 25 times in all competitions - compared to the 57 games he played the season prior.
The latest knock calls into question the Spaniard's future, with many suggesting it may be time for the gifted playmaker to hang up his boots.
Cazorla himself admitted it's something he's considered, but his love of the game is still too strong for that.
He said: "You feel like throwing in the towel but my desire to play football is above everything.
"I haven't been given a timeframe [to return to action]. It's very difficult to put a date, but I don't think it will be before five months.
"It's been since October that I last played. I've undergone eight surgeries, the last one yesterday [Monday].
"I hope that things go better."
Cazorla added: "I've had complications since November.
"I got a bacterial infection in surgery, my bone got infected, the wound would not close and I had a graft done.
"I remember I had a bad spell with a back problem [while with Villarreal in 2010] but this is worse because it [healing] doesn't depend on me.
"Right now I can't think about the future, I just want to return to play."
Cazorla paid tribute to Arsenal, thanking them for their continued support during his struggles.
He said: "They [Arsenal] have been very good to me.
""They gave me a contract extension before I had my surgery [in December]. The coach [Arsene Wenger] spoke to me and reassured me."
On Wenger's future, Cazorla added: "He is key to this club. He hadn't told us anything [regarding a new deal] but we are all delighted.
"The coach has done great things for the club, not just now but in the past. The club values his career. He has done miracles."
