Santi Cazorla admits he is not sure when he will return to first team action with Arsenal after being ruled out of their clash with Manchester United on Saturday.
Cazorla, 31, has not featured for Arsenal since picking up an Achilles injury during their 6-0 win over Ludogorets in the Champions League midway through October.
The Spain international is thought as crucial to the way Arsenal play and his absence is a big blow, particularly ahead of such a pivotal fixture, but worryingly, Cazorla doesn’t know when he will return.
“I still don’t know the exact time,” Cazorla told Cadena COPE. “I am trying to return as soon as possible to be with the team again, but I cannot say if it will be soon, or if I still have a few weeks left.
“I do not know, but hopefully it will be as soon as possible.”
Cazorla is clearly the heartbeat of the Arsenal team when he is on the pitch, shown by the fact only three players average more passes per game in the Premier League this season than the Spaniard (70). Not only that, but only two players complete their passes with a greater success rate (Cazorla – 91.3%).
For more stats on Santi Cazorla, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
Why should he know? He's not a doctor.