Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has said that he hopes to return to action next season after putting thoughts of retirement to one side.

The Spain international was dealt a further blow in his long-running battle to overcome injury in November when it was revealed that he required yet another operation.

Cazorla, who last put on an Arsenal shirt in October 2016, had originally planned to be back on the field early this year.

A number of complications along the way have delayed his comeback until the second half of 2018, however, having recently gone under the knife for a 10th time.

"I had many occasions when I wanted to throw in the towel on my career," The Sun quotes him as saying. "I was told various times that it was not worth me bothering to continue. But I am going to try to give it another go.

"If things turn out well then I will probably be able to play at the top level in the coming season. I'm going to be able to make it. My last operation was six weeks ago, and it was my tenth. It could have prevented a lot of things, although it hasn't yet solved anything.

"People have far worse problems in their lives. However, this one could have made me stop playing football. I don't know whether I'll have forgotten how to play. I'll do some practice, and I am very eager to return."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently admitted that he expects Cazorla to 'start from zero' when he eventually makes his comeback.