Santi Cazorla open to Arsenal return?

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has revealed that Santi Cazorla is open to the prospect of returning to Arsenal in a coaching capacity in the coming years.

The midfielder has revived his career with Villarreal following his departure from the Gunners in 2018 and he has contributed 19 goals and 18 assists from 76 appearances.

His performances have seen him return to the national team fold with Spain and Balague suggests that the midfielder does not plan to step down from the game anytime soon.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Balague revealed that Cazorla could leave Villarreal on a free transfer this summer as he has yet to put pen-to-paper on an extension beyond June.

"It's interesting because I spoke to Santi not so long ago and he hasn't renewed his contract with Villarreal which finishes at the end of the season," he said.

He added that Cazorla will prolong his playing career for a couple of years and he could thereafter consider a return to the Gunners as part of Mikel Arteta's backroom staff.

"Basically what may happen, he wants two more years playing. Two more years. Going back to Arsenal with Arteta is something that I think he will consider as a coach," he further told.

Cazorla contributed 29 goals and 45 assists in his six years at Arsenal. However, most of those outings came during the initial half of his career after which he failed to make a comeback due to multiple surgeries for an Achilles tendon injury.