Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says he hopes to be back in action in 2019 after undergoing the 10th operation of his career.
The 33-year-old has not featured for Arsene Wenger’s since October 2016, with his abnormal amount of surgeries resulting in the loss of eight centimetres from the tendon in his right ankle.
Cazorla has admitted that he previously considered retirement, but after re-evaluation, he hopes to be returning to action next year.
“The last surgery was seven weeks ago, and my tenth in total. The first surgery was risky because I took many corticosteroids and the skin deteriorated.” he said.
“Then a skin graft was proposed and after that, the infection ate my tendon”.
“There have been moments when I’ve thought about throwing in the towel. I’ve thought things like ‘maybe it is not worth continuing.”
“If things go well, maybe next year I can play at the top level again.”
With Cazorla out of contract at The Emirates at the end of the season and yet to be offered a new contract however, it is yet to be seen whether he will playing his football with Arsenal upon his return.
Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga for £10m in 2012 and has since scored 29 goals in 180 matches, helping the club win the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015.