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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla hits cracking goal for Villarreal as comeback continues

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla continued his comeback from a career-threatening injury with a sensational goal for Villarreal on Thursday night.

Cazorla struck on 67 minutes, beating two defenders and finding the top corner with a brilliant right-footed effort as Villarreal drew 3-3 away against Almeria in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash.

The Spaniard left Arsenal this summer in an attempt to keep his career alive, following a nightmare Achilles injury which kept him out of action for almost two years.

Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called the injury "the worst I have ever known", and Cazorla needed a skin graft from his forearm to repair the wound caused by surgery.

Returning to Villarreal, where he began his senior career, Cazorla made his first match appearance for 636 days in a preseason friendly.

Since then the 33-year-old has made eight league appearances, along with a further three in the group stages of the Europa League.

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