Santi Cazorla turned out for Villarreal as they drew 1-1 with Hercules in a pre-season game this week.

The Spaniard, who has been out of action for 636 days, is hoping to do enough in pre-season to earn a contract with the La Liga side after being allowed to leave Arsenal for free this summer.

Cazorla came on 67 minutes into the game, receiving a standing ovation as he entered the pitch for the first time since Arsenal’s win over Ludogorets in October 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-yPe85TZCs

Cazorla recently said that he has no intentions of fooling anyone and if he realises he can’t get back to the top level, he will call it a day.

Not many people gave Cazorla a chance of even getting this far in his recovery after almost losing his leg to infection.

This really is an amazing tale of self-belief, determination and steel from Santi.