Santi Cazorla's Arsenal career not over, says hopeful Arsène Wenger

Santi Cazorla’s Arsenal career is not yet over, with Arsène Wenger still hoping to be able to offer the midfielder a new contract when he returns from a period of rehabilitation this summer.

The Spanish international has not played for the Gunners since sustaining a serious achilles tendon injury in October 2016. A gangrenous infection sustained after repeated surgery on the tendon almost led to Cazorla having his foot amputated last year. Since then the player has been recuperating in Spain and Wenger believes he is now making good progress.

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“I haven’t seen Santi since the League Cup final, but the last news I heard is that he’s doing very well”, Wenger said. “Hopefully he can come back before the end of the season to make a check up to see if he can play again in the Premier League. If he could reach that level we would discuss a contract.”

Cazorla, 33, is out of contract this summer, after six years at the club. “We miss him a lot, you know”, Wenger said. “I’ve not spoken about it much, because he has not been the story of the day, but we missed him a lot. He is an exceptional football player and it is very sad what happened to him. It’s very sad for Arsenal as well.”

Another Arsenal player with an uncertain future is Jack Wilshere, with Wenger suggesting the 26-year-old will make a decision on a contract offer from the club before this summer’s World Cup.

“Jack has the freedom to make the decision”, Wenger said. “He is now focussed on the next games but I think he will make a decision before the end of season. He may not want to go to the World Cup without having sorted the situation.”