Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla is still playing at the age of 39, but he may only have a few games left in what has been an amazing career.
The midfielder is currently at his hometown club Real Oviedo, and Cazorla is aiming to help them earn promotion to La Liga after a 23-year absence as they compete in the La Liga Segunda Division playoffs.
Cazorla was an incredibly popular player at Arsenal, having joined in 2012 and immediately impressed Arsene Wenger’s squad, but a bad injury meant that his last game came in 2016.
He since revived his career back at Villarreal before a spell in Qatar, then returned to try and make history with Real Oviedo.
Mikel Arteta was a former teammate of Cazorla’s, and he could now offer him a route back to the Emirates Stadium.
Santi Cazorla could retire from football and join Arsenal’s coaching staff
Cazorla and Arsenal have a mutual adoration for each other, and a coaching role for the Spaniard has long been mooted.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Cazorla revealed his affection for Arsenal and Arteta, and claimed that whilst his focus is on the playoffs, there is a possibility that he could return to North London when he hangs up his boots.
“I have a very special affection for Arsenal,” Cazorla stated.
“I spent six wonderful years there and I know how much all the people love me there.
“Of course, I was fortunate to share a dressing room with Mikel Arteta and now he is the manager. We had conversations about that but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club, Oviedo, and continuing to enjoy football as a player.”
Arsenal return for Santi Cazorla would be magical
Given the nature of his injury keeping him out of action for nearly two years, Cazorla never got to say a proper farewell to the Arsenal fans, and an emotional return as a coach would be a truly special moment.
The midfielder was renowned for his technical ability and creativity, and he recently admitted that he sees a bit of himself in Martin Odegaard.
Having someone of Cazorla’s stature in Arteta’s coaching staff could be beneficial for this young Arsenal squad, and it would allow the magician to write a new chapter into his story in North London after his playing days there were ended so brutally.