Injuries continue to be really cruel to Arsenal.
The Gunners have had one issue or another since the start of the campaign, and that is one of the reasons why they haven’t run away with the Premier League title.
During the warm-up against Leeds United, Bukayo Saka pulled up with an injury. He was taken out of the matchday squad as a result, and that is a major concern.
However, Saka is not the only Arsenal player who is injured at the moment – Mikel Merino is another.
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Mikel Arteta says Mikel Merino needs to see a specialist after injury
Merino has quietly been a very important player for Arsenal this season.
The Spaniard was never going to be a starter, but he has come up with some important performances over the last few months.
Even in the defeat against Manchester United, Merino scored what, at the time, was the equaliser. He missed the game against Kairat due to suspension and was ruled out for the clash at Leeds because of a foot injury.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the above before the game, and the Arsenal manager revealed that he will find out how long Merino will be out only after he consults a specialist.
He said on Sky Sports: “He has an issue in his foot. A bone giving him some pain.
“We had some exams, but we need more specialists to look at it and see how long he is going to be out.”
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Merino is a very unique player.
The former Real Sociedad man can play anywhere across the midfield, and as he has shown over the last year, he can do a job up front instead of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz as well.
To add to that, Merino fulfils an important role off the bench.
If Arsenal need a goal, he comes on and becomes a big threat inside the box. If the Gunners have to hold on to a lead, he arrives and slows the game down.
That is a very special trait that Arsenal will really miss if Merino’s injury keeps him out of the side for an extended period.
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