Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Santi Cazorla could be out until March as he awaits further details on the Spaniard’s knee injury.
The Gunners midfielder sustained the problem in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City last weekend, and although there has been speculation that he could be out until March next year, Wenger remained tightlipped in terms of a timeframe with the extent of the issue not yet known, as reported by Sky Sports.
When asked if Cazorla could be out until March, Wenger replied: “It’s possible.” Meanwhile, the same could also be said of Alexis Sanchez who suffered a hamstring strain last time out and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Injuries have been a real issue for Arsenal in recent seasons, and they threaten to derail their Premier League title push at a critical time of the season with the Christmas schedule coming up.
Wenger did confirm some positive news with Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny fit enough to be included in the squad to face Sunderland on Saturday, but given the importance of Sanchez and Cazorla to the team he will be bitterly disappointed with their expected absences.
While Cazorla has been instrumental in midfield alongside Francis Coquelin, another pivotal player that is injured for the Gunners, Sanchez overcame a slow start to the season to emerge as one of Arsenal’s key players.
Although the return of Walcott arguably covers that loss to an extent, with Wenger losing his two central midfielders, he will have a tough time finding a new solution given the success that Cazorla and Coquelin enjoyed playing together.
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