Arsenal's hopes of clinching the English Premier League (EPL) title have taken a major hit by a setback in midfielder Santi Cazorla's recovery from injury.
Cazorla underwent a knee-ligament operation in November and was expected to be back in action by March. But he now has a problem with the Achilles tendon.
"Santi is not doing too well," Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger was quoted as saying by goal.com on Wednesday.
"He has some Achilles problems that hold him (back). His knee is doing well but his Achilles has inflamed a little bit and we have to put him off impact.
"It is a reaction to him coming back. We have to see now how he responds. He had always a little tendonitis on his Achilles and we have to see how he responds to that."
Another concern for the Gunners has been midfielder Jack Wilshere, who broke a leg in pre-season training and has not been a part of the side this season. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also likely to be sidelined for two months after sustaining a knee injury against FC Barcelona.
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"Jack is doing quite well but has still not been outside yet," Wenger said.
"Running, I think, starts again this week. It will be three to four weeks (from there)."
"Alex will be out for six to eight weeks. No surgery. We feared surgery at some stage before we saw the MRI."