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ESPN staff 7y

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla to miss rest of season through injury - source

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla will miss the rest of the season as his recovery from foot surgery is taking longer than expected, a source has told ESPN FC.

Cazorla had surgery in December on an inflamed tendon, and needed a second procedure last month after suffering a setback.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been hoping the Spain international would be back by April, but a club source confirmed to ESPN FC that he won't return this season.

The Daily Mirror first reported Cazorla's new setback on Thursday, saying he is now targeting a return in August.

His continued absence is a big blow to the Gunners, who have struggled to cope without his influence in central midfield, where his quick passing is one of the keys to Arsenal's style of play.

Aaron Ramsey has been in and out of the team because of injuries, while Granit Xhaka recently served a four-game suspension because of a second red card. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed in recent games when given the chance to play centrally, but Wenger is still searching for his best midfield partnership in Cazorla's absence.

The Gunners don't have a game this weekend but travel to Liverpool next Saturday before taking on Bayern Munich in the return leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie. Arsenal are fighting with Liverpool for a top-four spot in the Premier League, while they lost 5-1 to Bayern in the first leg and now have a slim chance of advancing.

Ramsey could ease their midfield woes as he is expected back in training next week and could be fit for the Liverpool match.

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