Cazorla offers fitness update, rejects retirement rumours

Daniel Storey

Santi Cazorla has offered an extremely positive update on his fitness.

There had been rumours that the Arsenal midfielder was close to retirement after being able to shake off his injury problems, but rejected those claims.

Instead, Cazorla says he no longer requires any further operations, and will now start the journey towards full fitness.

“Do not pay attention to that [rumours of retirement],” Cazorla told Onda Cero in Spain.

“Those who want to retire me will get to see me play gain. I will return. I do not know how far I am from returning but I am convinced that I am going to play football again and at my best level.

“I am working on it and hopefully, it can be as soon as possible. I am convinced that I will come back.

“The problem is that they did not know what’s going on. The worst thing is in the head. But I went to Spain, they found a bacteria, and now it seems that problem is already solved.

“It looks like the operations are over. Now I’m very happy, starting the recovery that is was what I wanted.

“I started the recovery two weeks ago. I’m still far away. I do not have strength in my tendon or muscle mass. I need time but I am very happy my recovery in this 15 days.

“I am fine but I do not want to set a return date because if I can’t fulfil it would be a big blow.