Arsenal fans sent tributes to Santi Cazorla on his 33rd birthday, wishing his recovery well, while also lamenting the absence of such an influential midfielder.
Cazorla turns 33 today, but rather than feature for the team in tonight’s game against West Ham, he’ll be on the sidelines.
Unfortunately, setbacks to injuries have threaten to end his playing career, and nobody knows when he’ll be back playing for Arsenal again.
There’s a fear he may not return at all. Supporters certainly miss seeing him in action.
Deserves a statue just for what he's going through right now! We miss you Santi!
— – (@LacaMadness) December 13, 2017
Happy birthday our dear friend and little magician. We have so missed your presence in our midfield,hp to see u bak soon.Enjoy ur day Amigos
— Domnk (@Dco1216) December 13, 2017
I've missed this fantastic mildfield maestro. Happt birthday Santi the magician.
— uche nwokocha peter (@uchenwokocha90) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/KestrelKay/status/940869619966971904
Arsenal haven’t been able to properly fill the void left by Cazorla. None of Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny or Granit Xhaka have been able to provide the control in midfield that the Spaniard has.
Xhaka, especially, has struggled for consistency this season. Calls for him to be dropped from the side are getting louder.
Cazorla has been out since October 2016 with an achilles injury that has required numerous surgeries. No date has been set for his return to first-team training as he regains his fitness after yet more surgery.
Arsene Wenger recently said that the midfielder was “starting from zero” again. Cazorla is also out of contract in the summer, though his immediate concern will be just playing football again.
It’s been a difficult year, but hopefully Cazorla can enjoy today and get back on the pitch soon.