Santi Cazorla is finally back out on the pitch playing football, after coming off the bench in a pre-season friendly for Villarreal on Tuesday night.

Villarreal were playing their pre-season opener against Hercules, in their training ground Mini Estadi, but Cazorla initially started the match on the bench. Then, with 67 minutes gone, he entered the action to a standing ovation from supporters in attendance.

The Yellow Submarine couldn’t get the win in the end, with the match finishing 1-1, but for Cazorla it probably felt like a victory just to be back playing. This was the first match of his trial with Villarreal, so we won’t know if they plan to sign him permanently until the end of pre-season.

However, Marca write that coach Javi Calleja seems excited to sign the 33-year-old up, as long as there are no setbacks in the coming weeks.

As an Arsenal fan, it’s just nice to see Cazorla playing football again, after his 636 day absence from match action. Even if it is a bit strange to see the Spaniard wearing yellow. Hopefully now he’s on his way back to his best, and he can spend a few more years in a top league with his new club.