Santi Cazorla returns to first-team training after 18 months out

As per a report published by Goal, Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla has returned to first-team training on Saturday after enduring an 18 month spell on the sidelines, having undergone several vital operations on a career jeopardising Achilles injury sustained in October 2016, which also required a skin graft.

The 33-year-old midfielder, as part of the process to treat his hindering problem, lost 8 centimetres from his tendon and even contracted a gangrene infection, which threatened to have his foot amputated if a solution failed to materialise.

But, after making a brief appearance amongst Arsene Wenger’s fold prior their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League last Thursday, the diminutive Spaniard’s drastically stepped up his recovery process and is allegedly targeting to play a part for the north-Londoners before the season has run its course.

With 3 remaining Premier League fixtures against Burnley, Leicester City and Huddersfield Town left to play, the possibility of game time for the set-piece maestro is certainly plausible, although given the severity of the injury and the safeguarding it demands, it would seemingly be a vastly premature inclusion.

Cazorla’s current contract is also due to expire in the summer, and if he’s to convince Wenger’s successor that he’s still an invaluable member to the set-up, he’ll presumably be desperate to lace up his boots and cause an influential impact on the ball like he did effortlessly before his lengthy stint on the physio’s bench.