Arsene Wenger has cast doubt over Santi Cazorla returning to action this season as he revealed the midfielder is struggling with an Achilles tendon problem.

The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since the end of November with a knee ligament problem, but his expected comeback has been put off indefinitely as a long-standing issue has flared up during his recovery.

“Santi is not doing too well,” said Wenger. “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 training.

“It has been a reaction to coming back. A return in April? We have to see now how he responds. He always had a little tendinitis in his Achilles and we have to see how he responds to that.”

It’s definitely a blow as his craft and guile in midfield would have been very useful between now and May, and if this continues to be an issue, it could put his Euro 2016 hopes at risk also.

The Arsenal manager also updated on Jack Wilshere, who remains ‘three or four weeks’ away from playing again, for about the third or fourth week in a row.

“Jack is doing quite well but has still not been outside yet, running,” he said. “He starts again, I think, this week. He will be three to four weeks out.”

It seems unlikely at this point that we’ll see him again this season, again a bit of a blow as he would certainly add something to this Arsenal side.

Step up Mohamed Elneny, now is your time.