Arsenal will need to wait before seeing their summer acquisition, Mikel Merino, make his debut, as the midfielder sustained an injury in his first training session with the club. Early reports indicate that Merino could be out of action for up to two months, a significant setback for manager Mikel Arteta, who had plans to integrate the talented midfielder into his team as soon as possible.
Merino was Arsenal’s third major signing of the summer, following the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford and the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna after his standout performance at EURO 2024. The Spanish international, who has impressed both at Real Sociedad and with the national team, was expected to form a formidable partnership with Declan Rice in the center of Arsenal’s midfield. However, these plans have been put on hold following Merino’s unfortunate injury, which now leaves Arteta short of options in the middle of the park.
The injury occurred during a training session when Merino collided with Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, leading to what has been described as a freak accident. Merino suffered a fractured shoulder as a result of the collision, and according to reports from the *Daily Mail*, he could be sidelined until the international break in October. This means that Merino will miss several crucial fixtures for Arsenal, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
The timing of the injury could not be worse for Arsenal. With Declan Rice suspended following a red card, Arteta will have to reconfigure his midfield for a series of challenging matches. Over the next several weeks, Arsenal are set to face major opponents such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Atalanta, and Paris Saint-Germain. Merino’s absence leaves a gap in the squad, but it may also provide an opportunity for other midfielders like Thomas Partey and Jorginho to step up in his place.
Despite the early setback, Merino is still regarded as a fantastic signing for Arsenal. The club paid £32 million to secure his services from Real Sociedad, and he is seen as a player who can offer a perfect balance of physical presence and technical skill in midfield. His ability to operate as a deep-lying playmaker makes him a valuable asset for Arteta’s system, and once he recovers from his injury, Merino is expected to play a central role in helping Arsenal control matches and compete for trophies across multiple competitions this season.
