Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla says he'll always be grateful to former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the support he received during his injury problems.

Cazorla has only just made his playing return after suffering a serious achilles injury in 2016.

"Arsène always supported me," Cazorla told the Guardian. "He renewed my contract before the first operation, which was an incredible gesture.

"He called me in: 'Santi, I'm going to give you the optional year. It's here, sign it, have your operation with peace of mind.'

"That helped me focus on my rehabilitation without fear. I'm eternally grateful for that."

Now back in Spain, Cazorla has played three successive La Liga games, but the inability to say goodbye properly to the Arsenal fans at the Emirates still grinds at him.

“The people love me there and I'll always have a connection with Arsenal, so much affection," he adds. "Not being able to say goodbye playing at the Emirates is like a thorn in my side. If I had to leave, I wanted it to be in front of the fans."