Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla included in Europa League squad

Santi Cazorla has been named in Arsenal's squad for the knockout stages of the Europa League, despite recently hinting that he would play no part this season.

The 33-year-old has been cruelly struck down by a number of injury setbacks since making his last appearance for the Gunners 16 months ago, recently undergoing a 10th operation on his ankle.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been coy on talk of a new contract offer for Cazorla in the summer after the midfielder recently confessed that a return to action in the first half of next season was the best he could aim for.

Despite fears that the Spaniard's time in North London was at an end, however, he has been named in the club's European squad for the second half of the campaign.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also included, but fellow new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cannot feature as former club Borussia Dortmund have dropped into the competition.

Twelve players have been removed from the squad list, meanwhile, including Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Mathieu Debuchy, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.