Arsenal's Cazorla open to Villarreal return

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla still counts himself a supporter of Villarreal, and won't rule out a return to his former club when his contract expires at the end of the 2016-17 season.

The 31-year-old hopes for permission to cheer on the team he represented over 200 times when it visits Liverpool in the Europa League semi-final second leg on May 5.

"I would not rule out returning to Villarreal (at some point)," he said in AS, according to ESPN FC. "Everyone knows how special that club is for me.

"If I get permission from my club I will be attending the second leg at Anfield, as another 'groguet' (yellow) supporter."

Cazorla suffered semi-final heartache in the UEFA Cup in 2014, Champions League in 2006, and the Europa League in 2011 with Villarreal, but is confident that his old employer can book a route into its first European final if the players hit their potential against Jurgen Klopp's Reds.

"It's a very even tie but I believe if Villarreal play as they can, they have a great chance to go through," Cazorla said. "Any team can suffer at Anfield, and they will suffer for sure. But the key to the tie will be (the first leg) at El Madrigal."

The first leg will be contested Thursday, while Arsenal undergoes preparation for the visit of relegation-threatened Norwich City on Saturday.