Cape Town - Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has given an insight into the severity of his injury lay-off after revealing that he almost had to have his foot amputated.
Cazorla hasn’t played a competitive game in 13 months after picking up an Achilles injury in the early stages of last season.
The Spanish midfielder has undergone eight operations in a bid to return to action, yet in an interview with La Marca, he revealed that a post-surgery infection left doctors considering whether to amputate his foot.
“The doctor told me that if I could walk into the garden with my son, then I should be happy,” said Cazorla.
Cazorla now hopes to return to action in the New Year after posting an injury update last month, while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is equally optimistic that the 32-year-old can resume his career.
Wenger said: “The first signs are positive, but still he has not played for one and a half years.
"He is not in full training yet, he needs a few games with the reserve team. So I think if all goes well, it will be after Christmas."