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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Santi Cazorla wants Arsenal return as a coach or sporting director

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has said he would like to return to the club as a coach or sporting director in the future.

Cazorla, who played with Arteta for four years under Arsene Wenger, left the Gunners to return to Villareal in 2018.

The Spain international became a cult hero at Arsenal, but the final years of his Gunners career were hit by an injury which almost cost the playmaker his leg.

Sidelines by an Achilles problem which required eight operations, Cazorla made only 11 appearances for the Gunners in 2016-17 and did not feature at all in 2017-18, leaving on a free contract at the end of that campaign as his contract expired.

The Achilles issue almost led to Cazorla needing to have his foot amputated, but he made a remarkable recovery - and his former at Villarreal even earned him a recall to the Spanish national squad at 34 years old.

(Getty Images)

Cazorla remains a firm fan favourite in north London, and 'The Magician' says he would like to return to Arsenal one day as a member of staff.

"I don't know what my legacy is [at Arsenal], " he told Vamos.

"You would have to ask the fans, but I want to thank everyone.

"I don't know what I will do next, maybe a coach, maybe a sports director, but I would like to come back."

Cazorla has a good relationship with current head coach Mikel Arteta, having played with him for four years at Arsenal.

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