Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla is remarkably still playing football at the age of 39, six years after his departure from North London.
Cazorla last played for Arsenal in November 2016 before suffering a serious injury which kept him out for nearly two years.
The Spaniard returned to Villarreal in 2018 and enjoyed a magnificent career revival, with two of his best campaigns coming after his comeback, before he moved to Qatar.
The midfielder then returned to his boyhood club Real Oviedo, and recently helped them reach the La Liga 2 playoff final, which gave them the chance to return to Spain’s top flight for the first time in 21 years.
However, his side were beaten by Espanyol, and with his contract coming to an end, Cazorla had a decision to make over whether he would continue playing or retire, and potentially reunite with Mikel Arteta in a coaching role at Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla confirms he will keep playing for Real Oviedo next season
It was recently reported that Cazorla’s decision would be made in the coming weeks, and he has now confirmed that despite rumours linking him with a sensational Arsenal return as a coach, he will continue playing for one more year.
“Santi Cazorla (39) has decided to continue playing and he signed new deal at Real Oviedo. One more season for former Arsenal player,” Fabrizio Romano posted on X.
Santi Cazorla will not join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal staff this summer
Whilst fans will be happy to see Cazorla still continue to play ahead of his 40th birthday, his decision means that there will be no fairytale return to North London for him this summer.
Arteta may shake up some of his backroom team, with assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg linked with manager roles elsewhere, and bringing someone like Cazorla in could have been beneficial.
Plenty of former Arsenal players are in coaching roles both at the club and elsewhere, with Shkodran Mustafi recently announcing his retirement from the game to move into a coaching role with the Germany under-17 side.
Cazorla may eventually end up becoming a coach or even returning to Arsenal, but for now his loyalty remains to Real Oviedo in a playing capacity.