Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla could reportedly return to the club as a coach when he retires from playing.

The 35-year-old became a fan favourite during his six-year stay at the Emirates Stadium, despite injuries limiting him to just 180 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners.

Cazorla left North London to return to Villarreal in 2018 and has since enjoyed a resurgence having put his injury problems behind him, even earning a recall to the Spain squad last year.

The playmaker's contract with Villarreal expires this summer and, despite making 29 appearances for the club this season, it appears increasingly unlikely that he will extend his stay with the Yellow Submarine.

Cazorla's good relationship with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has raised speculation that he could return to the club in the future, but respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague warned that Gunners fans may need to wait at least two years until that happens.

"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," Balague told his Ask Guillem Q&A show on his YouTube channel.

"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.

"I asked him about it, he said yes, he will consider as a coach when he retires but he wants to play for two more years. I tell you what, Mikel Arteta and Cazorla together, really good friends first of all but really good special minds of football."

Cazorla and Arteta played together at the Emirates for four years until the latter retired in 2016.