VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Santi Cazorla of Villarreal CF celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images)

Santi Cazorla gets new contract

Jun 14, 2019

Santi Cazorla has been rewarded for his miraculous season with a new one-year Villarreal deal in news that will warm even the coldest of hearts.

VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Santi Cazorla of Villarreal CF competes for the ball with Daniel Parejo of Valencia CF during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images) — VILLAREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 11: Santi Cazorla of Villarreal CF competes for the ball with Daniel Parejo of Valencia CF during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images)

The tiny Spaniard, who almost lost his leg to the injury that ended his spell at Arsenal, was extremely fortunate to be able to walk unaided let alone recover as he has.

Since being discarded by Arsenal, to the annoyance of many fans (even if they did understand the reasoning), he has amazed onlookers as he returned to the very top of the game and earned a recall to the Spanish national team where he captained the side in their last match.

After helping keep Villarreal in La Liga last season, the club have taken the decision to activate the one-year extension in the contract he signed after leaving Arsenal.

Of course they did. They’re not idiots.

Try not to think about what Arsenal could have done with him in the middle of their team in Unai Emery’s first season as you note the four goals and 10 assists he provided for a team struggling at the bottom of the league.

All, of course, delivered with that trademark smile.