Santi Cazorla says he had no inkling that the knee injury he picked up against Norwich last month was so serious, and that if he had known he’d have to asked to come off.
The Spanish international damaged knee ligaments against the Canaries, and after initial scans showed a ruptured ligament, he underwent surgery which is expected to keep him out until March of next year.
Speaking to Cadena Cope radio, he said, “I took a knock but played the whole game in pain. I limped a lot but had no signs that could have a knee injury until after the game.
“Doctors told me I had torn the ligaments and that I had to have surgery. It was a blow because after playing, even with pain and limping, you don’t expect that. I got really scared when I had the knock because I had so much pain and the leg had fallen asleep because I had been struck on the sciatic nerve.
“I was a little bit scared but as the minutes passed and I was hot I didn’t have much pain so I could finish the game. Perhaps I should have asked to be subbed but I did not know I had such a serious injury, even the doctors tell me that they don’t understand how I could play so long with this injury.
“I got home, tried walking and playing with my son and thinking that maybe it wasn’t that bad. But at the same time I couldn’t carry out some movements and I felt the knee was unstable.
“I went for the scan with the idea that could be something serious.”
As you would expect though, the ever-smiling Spaniard is looking on the positive side and hopes to be back in action before the time-frame laid out by the specialists.
“I do not want to set a time but I want to play in three months. I do not want to extend it more if it is possible.
“Arsenal have told me it will be between three and four months, which may be closer to four. I have already said that I will work hard, I want to make everything I can to play in March but we will see how it goes. We are not going to force it if is going to be bad, but my priority is to play in March.”
Fingers crossed his recovery is uncomplicated and we don’t hear the word ‘setback’ anywhere along the way.
Brave man, no?
Though I’m doubting the interview now, not one ‘no’…
The interview was in Spanish. Maybe he doesn’t have the same linguistic tics in his mother tongue that he has in English. …Or maybe it was a Santi doppelgänger giving the interview.
This guy’s season is toast.
He will be a huge miss, he is one of the best footballers I have ever seen play the game. How we got him off of Malaga for only £15M – he’s easily worth double that.
Brave and underrated , Intercepts and creates a lot from deep .. Connects our midfield and defense with our attack in a way I have never seen before. The Coquelin Cazorla symbiosis is a thing of beauty and the longer they play together the more they seem to be learning from each other ,, It’s crazy . Whats also crazy is how they both got injured with pretty similar injuries in kinda the same time-frame. Now Ramsey is in the center of our evolution and though its far from perfect it is very interesting we need a defensive addition next… Read more »
Hurry back, hope you can beat the usual longer than expected returns.
Fuck I love this little guy! Any time I read an interview of his, I read it in his voice and picture that goofy little face and it warms my heart.
Come back soon (but not too soon, get yourself right!)
Santi my love
Return soon to us
Love you
Get better soon xx
With so many of our players getting injured I think maybe the problem is internal, some ex pros claim the pitch is too hard it wouldn’t hurt getting it looked at if it means less injury problems
So you’re suggesting an Arsenal player/coach snuck onto the pitch and kicked Santi….. Interesting.
I’ll have to search out the kick on youtube…
Stay positive Santi. The fans support you, and you give your best for the club, no?
He’s one of the few players I believe can come back from something like this without any loss of quality.
I agree, mostly cause he isn’t replying so much on his physical attributes but rather uses beautiful football brain of his and superb technique.
Playing a full half with a ruptured ligament is not human. Then again, so is Santi.
Get well soon, and let us see that cheeky dance again, no?
Don’t climb down any chimneys over Christmas Santa!
You play for Arsenal,Santi – there’s no such thing as a minor injury.
Hope he recovers quickly, but at least Rambo is looking good in the middle.
This is the first time I’m learning that Cazorla has a son. Lucky kid. Family man?
Oooooo Santi Cazorla…
After all that its not clear if it’s the left or right knee?!! Anyway Get Well Santi my favourite Gunner.
And to think that a certain “player of the year” who “decided” that he can’t continue playing within 10 seconds of getting injured…
“I took a knock but played the whole game in pain. I limped a lot but had no signs that could have a knee injury until after the game.”
Er… Playing the whole game in pain is a subtle sign Santi…
We have a blind team doctor, I think. Ozil last year and he didn’t notice now Santi!!!!!.
I think we may not appreciate the pain tolerance of top flight athletes. Through the course of a season I’ll bet many of these guys play in varying degrees of hurt that many of us would consider to be excruciating. Look how quickly Giroud and Kos have returned recently from what seemed to be bad injuries. They were/are certainly nowhere near 100%
To me, his instincts are worth more than modern medicine. Let Glorious Santi play!
Perhaps he’s caught Alexisitis and no longer feels pain like a mere human.
Get well soon Santi , we miss you!!
So long as he’s back in time for the Champions League Final
Santi and alexis were injured v norwich ozil nearly to, these two players must get a rest of course these injuries lool serious with alexis being pushed into cameraman fast i feel these two players have been awesome for arsenal fc especially alexis we need cover for them in new
Year coyg santi.