Arsenal's Santi Cazorla sidelined for up to 4 months

Photo credit: AFP

Arsene Wenger said on Friday that Santi Cazorla could be sidelined for up to four months after sustaining knee ligament damage in last weekend’s draw at Norwich.

The Spain international stayed on the pitch at Carrow Road after taking a heavy knock early in the second half of the game as Arsenal’s injury woes continued.

Laurent Koscielny had already been forced off with an early hip problem and Alexis Sanchez then pulled up with a hamstring injury.

Those two players were substituted, but Cazorla played on – with Wenger now admitting he may be without the influential midfielder for up to four months.

“It is possible,” Wenger said when asked about reports the 30-year-old being sidelined until March.

“Ideally you want them all to be with you, but we are prepared to deal with it. It is a big miss with players like that but it is a opportunity for players to come in and fill in and show they have the quality and that they are fresh and that can give a good impact to the team.

“The players injured in the last two weeks will not play tomorrow and who is back maybe in the squad could be Laurent Koscielny, and Theo Walcott will be a decision tomorrow morning.”