Arsenal have long had a love affair with Santi Cazorla.
The Spaniard was a genuinely heroic figure for the Gunners, moving to the club in 2012 from Malaga and remaining in north London for six years, leaving in 2018 to join Villarreal.
The 35-year-old made a total of 180 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals and registering 45 assists.
He twice won the FA Cup in north London and was voted the club’s Player of the Season in 2012/13.
Of course, he struggled with injuries throughout his time at Arsenal, sustaining an Achilles tendon injury that was so bad he endured a number of operations and contracted gangrene, meaning a skin graft was needed.
He left upon the expiration of his contract but Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has now confirmed that he could soon return to Arsenal.
Writing on Twitter when asked about the diminutive playmaker, he replied: “He told me he would love to join Arteta in a coaching role but wanted to keep playing for as long as he could.
“He has said now that he has decided his future already but will only tell at the end of the season.
“He has given no clues of what he will do.”
Cazorla’s current contract expires at the end of this season and he will turn 36 in December.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This would be a fairytale story.
Cazorla was so bitterly unlucky towards the end of his spell at Arsenal and one has to feel that he has unfinished business.
A return to the club would have a twofold effect.
Working under Arteta, he would be able to work with the best young midfielders at the club and help them grow and improve, given his experience as a genuinely superb attacking midfielder.
And, in addition to that, he would be able to bring the curtain down properly on his career in north London.
It surely did not end how he wanted it to; that could all change this summer, should he hang up his boots.