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Wenger – Cazorla Needs To Prove Fitness

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that a decision on a new deal for Santi Cazorla will depend on the player proving his fitness.

The Spaniard has been out of action for the last 16 months following an infected Achilles injury back in October 2016 and in that time the player has undergone ten separate operations to try and get him back up and running, but sadly he suffered another set back recently and some reports have suggested that at best he won’t be back in action until 2019.

Having revealed that the 33 year old almost lost his leg to gangrene and that he has considered retirement, there is the possibility that he has now played his last game for the club following his arrival in 2012 – especially as he is into the final six months of his deal.

Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media this week, much like Jack Wilshere, Wenger said although he was open to a new deal for the player given the quality he has proven time and time again, it will ultimately come down to whether or not he can regain his fitness and keep himself injury free.

‘The latest news is that he is supposed to come back now. He had his latest surgery and we have to see where we go from there. I sent him a message two weeks ago and wished him well, hoping to see him soon. He has not come back yet because he has just had surgery. The medical people know much better than I do whether he will play again in 2018 before the end of the season. Before the end of the season will be hard for him.’

Questioned about a new deal, Wenger went on to say.

‘That depends on his medical availability at the top level. We have to assess that until the end of the season – if Santi is fit and available to play, then yes. Of course, we have to see that.’

Pressed on whether he felt Cazorla could get back to his best in the top flight given the length of time he’s now been out.

‘That is why I tell you it is a complicated situation because first of all we love him, second of all he is a great football player but the third situation is that you need to be healthy today to play at the intensity that is needed in the Premier League. So we have to see if he can absorb that or not.’

Having been incredibly unlucky throughout his rehabilitation time so far, I think everyone has their fingers crossed that Cazorla gets a break and some luck and can get himself back on the road to recovery soon and ultimately, if not with us, at least get back to playing the game he loves.

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