Cazorla to miss up to four months, Wenger reveals

The Spaniard has had surgery on a knee injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City on November 29 but his manager insists he will not miss the rest of the season

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed midfielder Santi Cazorla could be sidelined for up to four months after rupturing the lateral collateral ligament in his knee.

Wenger said Cazorla opted to undergo surgery over the weekend after injuring himself during Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Norwich City on November 29.

The 30-year-old is facing at least three months out but his manager insisted he would not miss the rest of the season.

"Santi wanted to have a chance to come back quickly so he didn't want to last too long for 25 opinions," Wenger said.

"He decided to go straight away. The guy said: 'Look, it's a clear case. It's a rupture of the external knee ligament.' And Santi said: 'OK, let's do it straight away.'

"It's not the season. It is at least three months out, maybe four."