Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has said that he is hopeful of returning to action "as soon as possible", but is unsure when exactly he will be given the green light to resume training.
The 31-year-old has been absent from the Gunners' first-team squad since damaging his Achilles during the 6-0 thrashing of Ludogorets Razgrad at the Emirates Stadium four weeks ago.
Arsenal's league form has dipped since the Spaniard limped out an hour through that game, with Wenger admitting after the recent stalemate against Middlesbrough that his side 'missed' Cazorla's workload in midfield.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE, Cazorla admitted that he is still in limbo in terms of when he will be back out on the field.
"I still don't know the exact time," he said. "I am trying to return as soon as possible to be with the team again, but I cannot say if it will be soon, or if I still have a few weeks left. I do not know, but hopefully it will be as soon as possible."
Arsenal will also assess the fitness of Alexis Sanchez ahead of Saturday's trip to face Manchester United, as the Chilean is carrying a slight knock picked up on international duty.
Daniel Lewis
