Arsenal have been hit by a potentially serious injury to new signing Mikel Merino in their first training session.
The 28-year-old’s arrival from Real Sociedad in a deal worth £30m was confirmed on Tuesday, boosting Mikel Arteta’s central midfield options as the club allowed Fabio Vieira to go on loan to join Portuguese giants Porto.
The Spaniard had been courted by the Gunners for some time, having starred for Spain during their triumph Euro 2024 campaign earlier this summer but will have to wait for his debut after manager Mikel Arteta revealed he has suffered a suspected fractured shoulder following a collision on the training ground.
“It was very unfortunate,” Arteta told Friday’s press conference. “He had a collision yesterday and has a shoulder injury, unfortunately. It looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks. (It was his) first session.
“He was very excited and everything looked great. He landed on the ground and Gabi (Gabriel Magalhaes) fell on top of him and it looks like he probably has a little fracture.”
As for when Merino could return, Arteta added: “We have to see. He was in a lot of pain. We will have to do more tests and then we will have more conclusive answers.”
Arsenal’The treatment table already consists of defensive duo Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as well as Gabriel Jesus, who is struggling with a groin injury.
These concerns have not stopped Arsenal from making a strong start to the new Premier League season. Victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the season followed in impressive fashion 2-0 win at Aston Villa, courtesy of goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey in the second half.
The three-time Premier League winners sit third in the tablebehind Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion on goal difference, and will face the latter in their final game before the first international break of the new season.
Arsenal have strengthened their squad with the signings of Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent basis, and have allowed Aaron Ramsdale to join newly promoted Southampton.
