Arsenal have finally confirmed that Santi Cazorla’s contract has been extended, whilst admitting they still have important negotiations to handle at present.
The Spaniard is set to miss the rest of the season, having suffered an achilles tendon injury back in October, which was previously only expected to rule him out or some weeks.
The most recent injury update has claimed that he will now miss the remainder of the season, but thankfully his record of absences has not persuaded our club to part ways with the midfield dynamo.
The AFC chairman Sir Chips Keswick confirmed the deals which had been agreed, before admitting that they are still working to sign more contracts before the end of the season.
Chips said: “We have continued to invest in the region of key players.
“Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud have all signed new contracts, while we have taken up options to extend the contracts of Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla.
“Further work is required in the area of contract renewals and we will continue to invest rationally in our squad retention.
“As expected, increased Premier League broadcasting revenues have had a direct impact on player costs both in terms of transfer prices and player wage demands.
“While these are market forces that have contributed directly over time to the success of the Premier League, I would sound a note of caution in light of the very material contractual commitments to future wages that clubs are taking on.”
Cazorla has been a hugely integral first-team player when he has been fit over the past few seasons, but the problem lies in the amount of time that has been possible of late.
The Spaniard featured in eight Premier League matches this term, as well as 15 in the previous season, and with him having turned 32 in December, it would have been of little surprise to see Cazorla and Arsenal part ways this summer.
Does Cazorla’s injury record of late mean he should have left the club, and us found a replacement? Is he impossible to replace?
Pat J