One injured Arsenal star could return ‘next week’ as Mikel Arteta reveals positive update

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have had to contend with several frustrating injury issues in recent weeks, but there is now a glimmer of positivity.

Mikel Arteta has navigated Arsenal through a tough week of away fixtures at Tottenham Hotspur, Atalanta and Manchester City, and his side are still unbeaten.

Arsenal have had to deal with such tough games without their captain Martin Odegaard, who is set for a lengthy absence on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury during the International break.

Arteta found himself short of options in midfield as summer signing Mikel Merino was injured in his first training session, and he was sporting a sling for his damaged shoulder.

However, in a positive boost for the player and his team, Merino could be set for his debut very soon.

• READ MORE: The top five most injured Arsenal players in 2023/24

Mikel Arteta reveals positive Mikel Merino injury update

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Leicester City, Arteta revealed that whilst Merino would not yet return for the game, he is edging closer to a return.

“Tomorrow is too soon. Next week we’ll see. He had partial training today. It’s about the healing of the bone and seeing when he’s ready for contact,” he stated.

When asked if he was holding Merino back from competitive action, Arteta revealed that he is nearing a full return.

“Trying to keep him in the cage. I think we are comfortable now to expose him with contact,” Arteta added.

Merino joined from Real Sociedad for around £27m, and arrives with plenty of experience as a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, and his return will be a massive boost to the squad, with Arteta excited about what he can bring.

“He’s gonna bring first an unbelievable football brain. He’s so intelligent, how he decides and occupies space,” he added.

When could Mikel Merino make his Arsenal debut?

Merino will help the Arsenal midfield in the absence of Odegaard in a creative sense, as a player who likes to push forward, whilst he will also bring a lot of physicality to the middle of the park.

Arsenal have three games before the International break, starting with Leicester, before they host Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton, and Merino is unlikely to be available for any of them.

However, Arsenal will face Bournemouth on October 19th, and if all progresses well with his recovery, Merino will hope to be in the squad for his long-awaited Arsenal debut.

The former Real Sociedad midfielder may not be match-fit for a while, as he did not participate in pre-season with his old club before completing his move away, but Arsenal will hope to get him up to speed quickly, as he will eventually become a crucial part of the midfield three alongside Odegaard and Declan Rice.