Arsenal attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla says he will only be back from injury at the end of the year but still, the club has offered him a new contract.
The Spaniard revealed that he extended his contract at the end of last year as he continues to recover from injury.
He last played for the Gunners in their 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets in October and is expected to be back in December.
"They [Arsenal] have been very good to me," he told Cadena Ser.
"They gave me a contract extension before I had my surgery [in December]. The coach [Arsene Wenger] spoke to me and reassured me.
"You feel like throwing in the towel but my desire to play football is above everything, I haven't been given a timeframe [to return to action].
"It's very difficult to put a date, but I don't think it will be before five months.
"It's been since October that I last played. I've undergone eight surgeries, the last one yesterday [Monday]. I hope that things go better."
