Former Arsenal and Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla retires from playing at the age of 41, multiple outlets report. BBC Sport, Yahoo Sports, NDTV, The Independent and others say the announcement comes after more than two decades in professional football. Cazorla’s career begins at Real Oviedo in 2001 and later includes spells at clubs such as Villarreal and Malaga, with his best-known period in England coming at Arsenal. Sources agree he plays for Arsenal for six seasons from 2012 to 2018 and wins the FA Cup twice during that time. Several reports note he returns to Real Oviedo in the final stages of his career, playing there for the last three seasons before retiring. The Independent also highlights that he nearly lost a foot during a prolonged medical episode earlier in his career, describing the announcement as a continuation of a long return to fitness. Yahoo Sports further reports details of his final contract decision, including returning on the minimum salary allowed by the league and donating his image rights to the club, citing a statement from Oviedo. CNA and other outlets similarly describe the retirement as ending a 25-year journey.