Santi Cazorla has undergone yet another operation in a bid to rectify his Achilles problem that has killed his season.

Speaking to Onda Cero, Cazorla said, “I had to have a minor operation to close the scar that had opened.

“It was nothing serious but I still had to go to the hospital [on Thursday afternoon].

“I had a graft done on my ankle a month-and-a-half ago because the skin on my ankle was practically dead and that was the reason why the wound would not close when I first had my operation in Sweden.

“Everything was going well until I started to do some exercises on the bicycle. The skin opened again and the stitches gave in. We hope this is the last one and I can return as soon as possible.

“I can’t do anything, that is the worst thing about this situation, that it doesn’t depend on me.

“It’s not a case of how much work I put in, I need for the wound to close. I just have to wait to see how the new skin that they took from my arm adapts.

“I now have to wait two weeks to see if the wound and the scar close. That is my biggest concern. I know I have to be optimistic and deal with it in the best possible way.

“I want to return as soon as possible.

“I miss going to training, being with my teammates and playing. Right now I have to stay at home, move with crutches and it’s a difficult situation to deal with.

“I still have one year left on my contract and my only desire is to return to playing and to compete at the highest level.”

As you can see, Cazorla also confirms that the club have indeed activated the option of a one-year extension on his contract. The FA published details of the contract last month but Arsenal have yet to confirm it themselves.

Cazorla has not played since 19 October and is not expected to feature again this season. It’s not clear what will happen first – his return or Arsenal’s announcement of his extension.