Santi Cazorla has praised Arsenal and the club's fanbase for the "incomparable" warmth they showed him during his time in north London, admitting that his chief regret was not being able to say a proper goodbye to the Gunners.
Cazorla, 34, joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012, and became a firm fan favourite during his six years in England.
Initially deployed as an attacking playmaker, Cazorla went on to excel in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners before the Spaniard fell victim to an horrific run fitness concerns saw him go two years without playing - and almost cost him his foot.
Cazorla underwent 10 operations on his heel after an infection saw 10cm of his tendon eaten away, with the midfielder later admitting that he initially feared that he would be unable to walk properly again, or may even need to undergo an amputation.
The playmaker left Arsenal on a free in summer 2018, and has undergone a miraculous recovery with Villarreal, so much so that his form earned him a recall to the Spain squad in May.
In Pictures | Arsenal's Santi Cazorla trains at Emirates | 26/04/2018
Cazorla has always been held in high regard by Arsenal fans, and the 34-year-old told Sports Illustrated that the feeling is mutual.
"Arsenal is the team who supported me so much and gave me so much love," he said. "The warmth they have for me is often incomparable.
"It meant so much to me. Football moves us in so many ways, so when you’re not playing well, you feel bad, but the fans were amazing."
Cazorla was unable to return to action for Arsenal before his contract ended, and says that despite the disappointment of not be able to pull on a Gunners shirt one last time, he will not forget his time there.
He added: "It was sad to not be able to properly say goodbye to them, but I truly cherish my time there."
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