Told he would be lucky to walk again never mind play football, Santi Cazorla is having quite the career resurgence back at Villarreal.
In October 2016, when playing forArsenal during a 6-0 win over Ludogorets, Cazorla suffered an achilles tendon injury and was forced to undergo over ten operations, including a skin graft from his arm.
He also lost eight centimetres from the tendon in his right ankle and it looked as though the Spaniard's playing days were over.
But after going 636 days without playing and leaving Arsenal, he's experienced a monumental resurrection after re-signing for Villarreal in August 2018.
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In 64 games in his third spell at the Yellow Submarine, the 35-year-old has been directly involved in 30 goals in La Liga - with 12 goals and 18 assists.
His most recent contribution was a stunning cushioned touch for Gerard Moreno's exquisite volley in the 2-0 win over Valencia.
With 12 goals and nine assists in 34 games in all competitions this season, Cazorla has shown he's very much still got it despite a potentially career-ending injury that left him out the game for an extended period.
It has been reported by The Mirror that Mikel Arteta has offered Cazorla a coaching rule at the Emirates but understandably the former Malaga midfielder isn't ready to retire from playing just yet.
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Cazorla made 180 appearances for Arsenal and it's said the club are exploring ways to give him a proper send-off that would allow Cazorla to turn out red and white once again.
"I don't know if it's possible or not, but I want to play one more game for Arsenal before I retire. It was a deep regret that I could never have a proper goodbye," he told Goal.
"Arsenal was the biggest club I ever played for. I'm proud that I was an Arsenal player. I'm especially grateful for Arsenal fans who supported me even after I left the club.
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"I wish I can be part of the Gunners family in the future again."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics:Β Football News, Football, Santi Cazorla, Villarreal, La Liga
