Arsenal's Santi Cazorla hopeful of returning to first-team for Manchester City clash
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla believes he is fit to make his full return to the first-team for his side's Premier League showdown with Manchester City. Cazorla, 31, has missed five months of action due to a knee injury that required surgery but made his return for the club's Under-21 side on Tuesday 3 May.
The Spain international made a swift impact, providing an assist for Chris Willock as the Gunners beat Blackburn Rovers in the play-off semi-finals.
Having also featured as an unused sub in the 1-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday (30 April), the former Villarreal and Malaga star feels he is ready for his full-return, but understands his manager may feel differently.
"I am very happy to be back," Cazorla told Arsenal Player. "It is a great feeling after five months. I need to keep up the hard work with my teammates in the first team and I want to play the last two games.
"I would like to help the first-team at the weekend against Manchester City. [Arsene Wenger] has the decision, but I will try to play at the weekend. We need to win the last two games as we want to finish in the top four.
"We need to fight until the end to try to get to second place. If we win the last games, we can do that. I want to help my teammates."
With two games of the season remaining, Arsenal are still to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. A win against Manuel Pellegrini's side on Sunday will see them confirm their place in next season's competition.
However, should the Gunners slip up at the Etihad Stadium, they will face a nervous final day against already relegated Aston Villa, with Manchester United still trying to claw their way back into the top four.
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