Arsenal fans have been dealt a big blow today after learning that playmaker Santi Cazorla is likely to be out till Christmas.
Arsene Wenger confirmed in his press conference today that the midfielder is recovering slowly from an inflamed Achilles tendon.
“It’s always difficult with inflammations to give a set time. My gut signing is it will be short, two weeks. But when a player comes back to full training it still takes two weeks for a player to be ready to play again.” Wenger explained.
Arsenal have coped fairly well in the former Malaga man’s absence, but their last game against Manchester United showed exactly why they miss him. Arsene Wenger’s side were totally unable to get a foothold in the game or control the tempo in the way that they are able to when Cazorla is on the pitch.
Cazorla hasn’t played for Arsenal since the defeat of Ludogorets on the 19th October. He is now set to miss a key period of the season, with games at West Ham, Everton and Manchester City all coming up in December.
While their Spanish midfielder won’t be ready for those games, Arsene Wenger will be hoping that he will be read to contribute to the Gunners kinder run of festive fixtures after that, as they take on West Brom, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.