Santi Cazorla has insisted that there is still some way to go in his recovery despite his return to action following a lengthy injury lay-off. The midfielder, who rejoined Villarreal this summer, featured as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Hercules in a friendly on Tuesday as he played his first game in 636 days. There had been hopes Cazorla could return for Arsenal before the end of last season, but the injury took a turn for the worse and he would not make another appearance before being released.
Cazorla said he is “eternally grateful” for the help he has received after playing his first match for nearly two years and bringing his injury nightmare to an end. The 33-year-old midfielder’s last appearance came in October 2016 for Arsenal in the Champions League against Bulgarian side Ludogorets. He then suffered a serious Achilles injury, which kept him out of action for 21 months. Cazorla’s spell on the sidelines was ended on Tuesday, though, when he came on as a substitute for Villarreal in their pre-season friendly against Hercules.
Cazorla bought his six year spell at Arsenal to an end when his contract at the Emirates expired this summer. He opted to move back to Spain with Villarreal for a third spell with the club that he originally joined as a teenager in 2003.
Following the match Cazorla posted on Instagram, saying: “Very happy to go back to do what I like most. Cazorla declared that he isn’t enjoying his current situation and stressed that he wants to ‘feel like a footballer again’.
However, the 33-year-old is still delighted to be back on the pitch. As reported by Marca, Cazorla said: ‘People tell me that I have to assess where I am now and where I was 20 months ago and to think about what I have gone through.
‘I am only thinking about getting rid of the pain as soon as possible because I am not enjoying what I am doing. I want to train with my colleagues again and to feel like a footballer. It is hard to express what it feels like to be out on the pitch after so much time. To feel like a footballer again, to feel the love of the people and the reception they gave me.’
Cazorla thanked the Villarreal supporters for the support that they have given him during his various spells at the club.
‘They have treated me very well from my first day here,’ he said. ‘It is like I had never left. The treatment from my teammates and me feeling comfortable is so important for my progression. I cannot really repay or reward what Villarreal have done for me. Not only when I was 18, but because they opened their doors after two years out and gave me their facilities without putting pressure on me. It is something that only this club can give me.’
Prior to the game against Hercules, Cazorla hadn’t been in action since October 19, 2016 when he suffered an injury playing for Arsenal against Ludogorets. Cazorla, much to his disappointment, would never play for Arsenal again, with an ankle injury continuing to hamper him.
After being released by Arsenal following the expiry of his contract, Cazorla was invited to train with Villarreal, with whom he had two previous spells. Although he has much work to do in order to build up his fitness, the Spaniard will hope that he will be able to at least make some impact for Villarreal this season.
VILLARREAL’S SUMMER 2018 SIGNINGS
Gerardo Moreno – Espanyol – £18million
Karl Toko Ekambi – Angers – £16.2million
Roger Martinez – JS Suning – £13.41million
Santiago Caseres – Velez Sarsfield – £9million
Ramiro Funes Mori – Everton – £8.1million
Miguel Layun – Porto – £3.6million
Santi Cazorla – Arsenal – Free