Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes there is still a small hope that Santi Cazorla could play again this season, but only if the scar tissue on his calf heals properly.
The Spaniard suffered a setback in his recovery from the injury after the wound reopened, and it very much depends how quickly it now heals for the 32 year old to take any part in games this campaign. Wenger is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying:
“It is possible [he could play again this season] but [it depends] how he heals from his scar, and once that is done he can practise very quickly and very normally but at the moment that is not done.
“When you think that when a player starts to train after such a long time out, you have at least six weeks to be competitive for a place in the team. If you add six weeks today, we are already at mid-April so that means it will be short for him now.”
Cazorla has not been seen in an Arsenal shirt since mid October when he played in the Champions League group stage match against Ludogorets. He has been limited to just 11 appearances this season and it has left the Gunners short of numbers in central midfield areas, especially with Jack Wilshere out on loan at Bournemouth.
After a number of operations, and months on the sideline, the Spaniard will be now hoping that he will be able to make a speedy recovery.