It’s reported that midfield ace Santi Cazorla might retire at the end of the season if his injury setbacks continue, as per inside reports from the Emirates. Cazorla hasn’t played since October 2016 when he sustained Achilles problem during Arsenal’s 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets.
His recovery has been hindered by infection and various ops including skin grafts and it was thought that he was finally recovering and on his way to fitness.
Cazorla has lost eight centimeters of his Achilles tendon and has undergone eight surgeries since issues with his ankle became apparent in 2013.
He was told by a consultant that the injury was so severe that he may not even be able to walk properly, yet the midfielder pushed himself against the odds and seemed on course to deliver a surprise to the medical team and fans alike.
Cazorla had posted various images of his rehabilitation on social media but the rumour is, and it’s only a rumour, that he is seriously considering retirement. If that is the case, fans will be devastated because he has become a firm favourite for his expansive football and mercurial talent.
It’s thought that he has suffered another setback and that the strain of continuously attempting to reach fitness has taken its toll on mind and body, leaving the little Spaniard emotionally and physically drained.
The club have been very supportive and extended his contract last season but they realise that Cazorla may now not recover fully. If this is the case, Wenger will have to go in search of a talent that may not even exist.
There is no player that is similar to the market at the moment and no contenders spring to mind to fill the gap his retirement would leave. Cazorla has hidden himself away in the last few weeks perhaps contemplating his future or attempting one last effort to reach fitness.
If he is unsuccessful this time around, he will be left with no option but to call time on his career. On reflection, he has been a wonderful player for Arsenal football club and one that has been desperately underrated and overlooked by his country.
Easily as good as Fabregas and genuinely more consistent, Cazorla has failed to secure a regular slot with the Spanish national team and that alone must be worse than sustaining such a bad injury.
It’s an injury that Wenger has described as one of the worst he has seen in his years in football and Wenger has seen lots. Let’s hope that this one last effort brings him to full fitness and that he can once again pull on the famous Arsenal shirt.
