Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger fears star midfielder Santi Cazorla could be ruled for a further TEN WEEKS as he battles an ankle injury
The Spanish international hasn't featured since late October and has made just a mere 11 appearances this campaign for the Gunners
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ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Santi Cazorla could be ruled out for an additional TEN WEEKS as he battles an ankle injury.
The Spanish midfielder has been restricted to just 11 appearances in a Gunners shirt this season, and has not featured for the side since October 19.
Cazorla had surgery on his right ankle back in December and was initially thought to return to action in three months, but his boss has revealed he has had to undergo another procedure.
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Wenger said: "He's far from starting to run again.
"He had a little procedure, yes, but we have a meeting with the medical people to see what it was."
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Wenger does believe that Cazorla will feature again before the end of the campaign, he said: " Yeah, I hope so.
"Because once you start to go out [running outside] you have to count six weeks' preparation.
"At the moment he's not at that level, so let's hope he can come back in the next three or four weeks on the pitch."
It's a huge blow for the North London side, last year the 32-year-old missed half of the season, and they are currently without Francis Coquelin who is nursing a hamstring injury, and Mohamed Elneny who is away on international duty with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
Cazorla has made close to 200 appearances for the Gunners since signing from Malaga in 2012, and has won two FA Cups and has chipped in with 29 goals in all competitions.
Two defeats against Manchester City and Everton have stifled Arsenal's chances of a first Premier League title since 2004.
They currently sit fifth in the table as they travel to Wales to face struggling Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.