Santi Cazorla back in Arsenal first-team training and aims to play before Arsene Wenger’s final match

Santi Cazorla is back training alongside his Arsenal team-mates – and has his sights set on playing again this season.

The Spanish playmaker has missed 19 months of action with a nightmare Achilles injury but is finally edging closer to a return.

Cazorla’s fitness is a boost for manager Arsene Wenger, who could give him a run out in his final game as Gunners boss later this month.

The Achilles problem left Cazorla needed several surgeries, including a skin graft from his arm.

He is in the final stages of his rehabilitation, having been out on the Emirates pitch last week for a jog ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.

Cazorla will now hope for crucial minutes over the next fortnight, which could lead to him earning a new deal at Arsenal.

His current contract is due to run out at the end of this season.

“I’ve still got some way to go, because after being sidelined for 18 months, everything has to be done in its own time,” Cazorla told Spanish media outlet AS last week.

“But the sensations I have keep getting better and I’m feeling optimistic about the future.

“The objective is to play some part with the team before the season ends, but we have to take things carefully.

“After being out for so long it will take a while to get back into form, it’s a real struggle, but when you have been out like I have, you also notice pains elsewhere – apart from what I’ve had with my tendon.

“But all of that must mean that I am doing things right, and I hope to be back as soon as possible.”

Team-mate Jack Wilshere posted on Instagram about Cazorla’s return: “Life is better when the sun is shining and football is better when this genius is playing.”