As revealed by Arsene23Wenger on X, Arsenal’s new summer signing Mikel Merino has started gym and pool work and is expected to train on grass before the end of this week or the start of next week.
The midfielder joined from La Liga side Real Sociedad for a fee of around £28.4 million (£4.2m in add-ons). The fans were waiting in anticipation to see the Euros 2024 winner lineup alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to form a title-winning triumvirate in midfield.
However, Merino fractured his shoulder in his first training session with the Gunners as Gabriel Maghalaes accidentally fell on him while challenging for the ball.
Last month, manager Mikel Arteta was asked about the player’s injury progress, and he said:
“It’s better. It’s a slow process because it’s a bone, and it takes a while to heal. He is progressing well and is already doing some stuff.”
MERINO COULD MAKE HIS ARSENAL DEBUT IN THE SECOND WEEK OF OCTOBER
If everything goes as per the plans, the 28-year-old will be in contention to return after the international break. It is still unclear whether he can travel with the Spanish squad for their Nations League clash vs. Denmark and Serbia.
Merino commencing training by next week is a good recovery sign. The shoulder fracture wasn’t serious, and he will aim for a healthy return to action in Arsenal’s Premier League games after the international break.
🚨 JUST IN: Mikel Merino took part in gym and pool work today and is expected to be training on grass before the end of this week or the start of next 🇪🇸 (@Arsenal23Wenger) pic.twitter.com/e0trlwMJ0l
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) September 23, 2024
The North London outfit will visit the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on the 19th of October. The defensive midfielder is expected to make his debut in this game.
It is a perfect return date since the Gunners play three games in nine days (Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League group stage on 23rd Oct, Liverpool and Newcastle United in the Premier League on 27th Oct and 2nd November, respectively).
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Arteta’s team needs bodies at the back, and having Merino is a huge bonus. The club missed his defensive strictness, ability to break opposition passes, and providing security to the midfield.
Captain Martin Odegaard is also close to returning by the second week of October. We can’t wait to see the Merino-Rice-Odegaard pairing run riot in the centre of the field.
