Arsenal fans go into meltdown as Santi Cazorla is ruled out after ankle surgery
Gunners hoped Spanish midfielder would be back in November but now he will travel to Sweden for operation
ARSENAL have survived their traditional nasty November only to find things have gone horribly wrong a day late this season.
No sooner than Gunners fans opened their advent calendar, it was revealed that Santi Cazorla will miss the next three months through injury.
The Spaniard picked up the injury during the Gunners' 6-0 win at home to Ludogorets, and will fly to Sweden early next week to undergo surgery.
It was hoped that a rehabilitation programme would see him recover this month but the club admit things have not worked out as planned.
A statement on the Arsenal website said: "Santi Cazorla is travelling to Sweden early next week to undergo surgery to his right ankle.
"The club’s medical team and specialists have decided that surgery is required to the plantaris tendon in the Spain international's right foot.
"The problem has not progressed during a rehabilitation programme following the injury during the home match with Ludogorets on October 19.
"We expect Santi’s full recovery to take approximately three months.
"Everyone at the club will be working hard with Santi to make sure he’s back on the pitch as soon as possible."
The injury means that in addition to at least 13 Premier League games, Cazorla will miss the Champions League last 16, where Arsenal traditionally struggle.
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Santi Cazorla missed an incredible five months of last season after suffering a knee injury in a 1-1 November draw against Norwich.
He didn't play again until the final day of the season and Gunners fans believe that was key in them finishing second to Leicester.
And Arsenal fans have been hurt so many times before that they are already kissing goodbye to their title hopes.
Cazorla has been key to Arsenal's strong start this season, scoring two goals from the penalty spot and providing two assists.
Arsene Wenger's side are currently on familiar ground in 4th place, but crucially are just three points behind leaders Chelsea.
And they hammered Antonio Conte's Blues 3-0 at the Emirates in their best performance of the season.
The Gunners face a trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham in Saturday's late kick-0ff before a Champions League match in Switzerland against Basel which is likely to see a second string side play.
Arsenal have already played most of their title rivals but a first meeting with Pep Guardiola's Man City at the Etihad on December 18th will be key to their chances of winning the league for the first time since the 'Invincibles' in 2004.
Sky Sports pundit and former striker Charlie Nicholas has said that with the strength in depth available to Arsene Wenger, he will have no excuse if he fails to win the title this season.