Arsene Wenger will consider himself a lucky man as he managed to keep his job at the Emirates even as Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under his leadership.
The Gunners failed to finish in the top-4 and will play in the Europa League next season but the manager is not leaving any stone unturned and is looking to sign some of the finest players in Europe to add to his squad this summer.
The likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Riyad Mahrez have all but joined the club but they were hit by one severe news today.
Arguably one of the best playmakers in world football at the moment, Santi Cazorla, is now ruled out for almost the entirety of the next season.
Image Credit: Getty Images
The Spanish midfielder has been injury prone for some time now and has not been able to establish himself in the first team under Arsene Wegner.
Cazorla has a place in Wegner’s plans
The 32-year old played a huge role in the campaign for the Gunners since 2012 but has not been able to play regularly in the last two years, hit by a number of injuries.
The playmaker failed to keep himself fit in the 2015-16 season and though he started the previous season strongly, picked up an injury in a Champions League game against Ludogorets.
He was expected to return from injury just a month later but is yet to feature for Arsenal in the first team since.
It is reported that an Achilles problem has led to multiple operations and the midfielder’s continued absence, despite initial optimism he would return swiftly.
Image Credit: Getty Images
However, Wenger decided to extend his contract for another year, late last season, that will keep Cazorla at the club until the end of the next season.
Ruled out till April
But the Gunners were dealt a huge blow today after it was revealed that the 32-year old is not going to play for the Gunners anytime soon.
In fact, it is claimed that the playmaker may have played his final game for the club as his ACL injury is now set to keep him out of action at least until the start of April next season.
It is understood that he will still have to work his way to full fitness and might not even have enough time in the season for his farewell game with the London club.