Arsenal will have to wait for new summer signing Mikel Merino to make his debut, as the midfielder suffered an unfortunate injury during his first training session with the club. Reports suggest that Merino could be sidelined for up to two months, dealing a significant blow to Mikel Artetaโs plans for the season.
Merino was brought in as Arsenalโs third major summer signing, following David Rayaโs permanent move from Brentford and Riccardo Calafioriโs transfer from Bologna after an impressive EURO 2024 campaign. Merino, who has shone for both Real Sociedad and Spain, was expected to partner with Declan Rice in the heart of Arsenalโs midfield. However, with Rice currently suspended due to a red card and Merino injured, Arteta will be forced to rethink his midfield strategy.
The injury, described as a freak incident, occurred when Merino collided with center-back Gabriel Magalhaes during training, resulting in a fractured shoulder. According to reports from the *Daily Mail*, Merino is expected to miss matches up until the October international break, meaning he will be unavailable for a critical stretch of Arsenalโs Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Merinoโs absence comes at a difficult time for Arsenal, as they face tough fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Atalanta, and Paris Saint-Germain. His injury opens the door for midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho to step up, but the timing of his absence couldnโt be worse for Artetaโs side, which is aiming for a strong start in both domestic and European competitions.
Despite the setback, Merino is still seen as a superb addition to Arsenalโs squad. The ยฃ32 million signing from Real Sociedad offers the right blend of physicality and technical ability, making him an ideal partner for Rice in the midfield. Once fit, Merino is expected to play a key role as a deep-lying playmaker, helping Arsenal control games and push forward in their pursuit of silverware this season.