Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla has chance to help his club return to La Liga after 21 years

Santi Cazorla is a player loved by every Arsenal fan, and even at 39, he is still producing magic on the pitch.

Cazorla picked up a long-term injury which ruled him out of action for nearly two years, and almost ended his career in 2016. It meant that his final game for Arsenal unexpectedly came in the Champions League in November 2016, and he never got to say a true goodbye to a fanbase who adored him.

The Spaniard enjoyed an incredible return to action at his old club Villarreal, and he has now returned to his boyhood club Real Oviedo in an emotional comeback.

Cazorla left Oviedo for Villarreal in 2003 after Oviedo were relegated from La Liga, and they have never appeared in the top flight since. However, Cazorla now has the chance to help them make a stunning return.

Santi Cazorla can secure La Liga promotion playoff place with Real Oviedo

Heading into the final game of La Liga Segunda Division season, Oviedo are on course for their best league finish in 21 years. They are currently fifth in the table, and as it stands, would qualify for the promotion playoffs to make a historic comeback to La Liga.

Oviedo are level on points with Real Racing Club in sixth, and two points ahead of Sporting Gijon in seventh. Should Oviedo beat Eibar, who are three points behind an automatic promotion spot in third, they will confirm their place in the playoffs.

However, if they lose what is a tricky game, and both Racing and Sporting Gijon win, they will drop out of the places and lose the chance to return to the top flight against all odds.

How has Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla performed for Real Oviedo?

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Cazorla has still had injury problems this season, but has still managed 24 league appearances, with 10 coming from the start.

He has played in a central role rather than out wide, and whilst he is not close to the level he showed in his prime, he is still producing moments of magic.

Cazorla has provided four assists this season, including a recent one from a corner against Espanyol, where again he demonstrated his ability to take set pieces with both feet.

The Spaniard was a player who was so good that the Arsenal squad applauded Arsene Wenger after his first training session, and he has suffered a lot of difficulties with injuries in recent years.

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Arsenal fans would now love to see Cazorla make history at the club where his career began in Oviedo, but if they are promoted, it is unclear whether he would stay on or hang up his boots and move into coaching, potentially even at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta.