Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla expects to be out for another year as he attempts to overcome an Achilles injury.

Cazorla, who has been out of action since October 2016, admitted that the protracted process of returning to fitness has led him to contemplate his future as a football player.

However, with his Arsenal contract set to expire this summer, the Spanish midfielder is maintaining an optimistic outlook and hopes to return to the pitch in 2019.

"There have been moments when I've thought about throwing in the towel. I've thought things like 'maybe it is not worth continuing,'" Cazorla told RTVE, as translated by Sky Sports.

"If things go well, maybe next year I can play at the top level again.

"The last surgery was seven weeks ago, and my tenth in total. The first surgery was risky because I took many corticosteroids and the skin deteriorated.

"Then a skin graft was proposed and after that, the infection ate my tendon."

Cazorla appeared to be edging toward a return this month before an injury setback in November ruled him out for the season. Before announcing he would undergo another procedure, Cazorla revealed an infection from an operation in December 2016 almost led to the amputation of his leg.

Since joining Arsenal from Malaga in 2012, Cazorla has scored 29 goals in 180 appearances.