Arsene Manager has admitted that Arsenal have struggled to fill the void left by the injured Santi Cazorla, according to theIndependent.
The Spaniard has been out injured since October and was dealt a further setback last week, as he underwent an operation on an ankle injury which will keep him out of action for at least a further four months.
At Colney. Wenger on Cazorla: "For me it is very bad news, You have the date of the surgery but not when he will play again."
Since picking up the injury, Cazorla's absence has seen Arsenal's form take a slight dip and although they have gone 13 league matches unbeaten, they failed to impress in November, after scraping draws against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.
Back-to-back wins has shown that the Gunners are slowly improving and their 5-1 hammering ofWest Ham over the weekendsaw them climb two places into second.
But whilst the team are looking like they are finallystarting toadapt to lifewithoutCazorla, their manager has confessed that the midfielder's absence has been difficult for the side.
Wenger said after the win over the Hammers:We lost a little bit the quality of our game and with that we lost our results.
Losing Santi not only puts pressure on some players, but you have to find a new balance again. Every week I try to a little bit here, a little bit there, to find it back.
"Overall, he was our deep playmaker, a guy who all our defenders think ˜where is Santi?' After that, you need to find new ways to build the game up.
FULL-TIME West Ham 1-5 Arsenal. Arsenal climb to second in the table after extending their unbeaten run to 13 #PL matches #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/bvlLL91znP
Balance is as well linked with confidence, and results like that give you confidence.
Everybody wants the ball. Now everybody knows that it's not only Cazorla who will
be available, I have to move as well, and that is linked with the confidence. When you have confidence, you move the ball.�
The Gunners will hope that they have trulyrediscovered their form ahead of what will be a busy few weeks for the club. Wenger's team will play seven matches in 28 days, starting this Tuesday where they face a trip to Basel in the final group game of the Champions League.