Arsenal ace Santi Cazorla confirms he will miss rest of the season after having another operation
Arsenal midfielder ruled out for remainder of the campaign after being sidelined since October
SANTI CAZORLA has confirmed that he is out for the rest of the season after undergoing another surgical procedure on Thursday.
Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder has not played since suffering an ankle injury during the Champions League win against Ludogorets in October.
Cazorla, 32, is now back on crutches following his third operation in Sweden.
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He said: “I had to have a minor operation on Thursday to close the scar that had opened.
“I had a graft on my ankle a month and a half ago because the skin on my ankle was practically dead and that was the reason why the wound would not close when I had my first operation.
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“Everything was going well until I started to do some exercises on the bicycle. The skin opened again and the stitches gave in.
“The worst thing about this situation is that I can’t do anything about it. It’s not a case of how much work I put in. I just need the wound to close.
“I have to wait for two weeks to see how the skin graft from my arm adapts. That is my biggest concern.
“Right now I have to stay at home and move with crutches and it’s a difficult situation to deal with.
“I miss going training, being with my team-mates and playing football.”
Cazorla’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but Arsenal took up the option in December to extend his stay by a further 12 months despite his injury problems.
He says: “I have one year left on my contract and my only desire is to return to playing and competing at the highest level.
“I hope this is the last operation and that I can return as soon as possible.”