Santi Cazorla’s long spell on the sidelines isn’t just because of an Achilles issue, according to reports.
Seraphin Health claim that although Cazorla was initially kept out because of an Achilles issue, his Achilles has actually been fine since February. However, the surrounding skin has been the problem.
Santi Cazorla Injury Summary
🔻Minor Achilles Injury in Oct 2016
🔻8 surgeries since for a bone infection, an open wound, and skin issues pic.twitter.com/ZWGniTB2FR— Seraphin Health 🏥 (@SeraphinHealth) September 26, 2017
According to The Sun, Cazorla first underwent surgery in December 2016, after a month or so of the Gunners’ staff trying to locate the true source of the pain. Then the bone reportedly became infected, and the incision from the surgery didn’t heal, which left an open wound. The Spaniard had skin transplanted from his arm to replace the skin on his ankle.
At this stage, it’s apparently just a case of building up the calf muscle he lost between November and July, with the aim to be back in January 2018. Hopefully, this time the estimate is correct.
In total, Cazorla has apparently had eight surgeries since October 2016, so at this stage you’d imagine he’s pretty sick of the hospital bed and just wants to get back to playing. It’s exactly what most fans want him to do, given the positive impact he had on the side when available.