Breaking: Arsenal star himself provides injury update ahead of Saturday's game 1

Despite causing a minor injury scare during Arsenal’s brilliant win over Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday night, it now looks as though Santi Cazorla will be fit enough for this weekend’s clash with Middlesbrough.

Having come off twelve minutes into the second half, the Spanish playmaker was seen with an ice pack pressed up against his Achilles.

With an injury to this area often hugely debilitating it is no wonder a bit of a stir was caused on Twitter, with Arsenal fans evidently concerned for their player’s wellbeing.

After the game Wenger did little to allay fears telling the Daily Express:

“He got a kick on the back of his Achilles tendon and I took him off as quick as possible.

“In my view he was limping a little bit so I didn’t want to take a gamble.”

However, since these comments, Cazorla himself has stated that he expects to be ready for Saturday’s clash, which could put the Gunners top of the league for 24 hours at least with Manchester City playing Southampton on Sunday.

“I have a pain in the tendon. I got a kick in the first half and during the second I still had some pain so, with the result in our favour, the boss decided to give me a rest,” Cazorla told IBTimes UK.

“It was good to recover for Saturday.”

On the prospect of being fit for the north London club’s clash with Middlesbrough, Cazorla said:

“Yes, yes. I hope so. I have to be ready to play.”

Although there could be news to the contrary of what Cazorla is spouting, hearing this from the horse’s mouth will certainly come as a relief to the Arsenal faithful, who are well aware of his importance to Arsene Wenger’s side.

Arsenal face the Teessiders this Saturday.