Arsenal’s Mikel Merino Faces Recovery from Rare Injury Following Surgery

Mikel Merino sustained an injury during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. Following the match, manager Mikel Arteta described the injury as unusual, stating, “It’s a very rare injury, so we have to wait and observe the recovery after surgery. We will monitor it closely over the coming week. I know Mikel will do everything he can to return as quickly as possible, but we must also respect the healing process given the rarity of this injury.”

Merino has since undergone surgery and provided an update on Instagram, saying, “Surgery done! Already closer to being back. Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It truly energizes me to face this challenge. Vamos!”

The timeline for Merino’s return remains uncertain. His father, Miguel Merino, shared insights with Cadena SER about the complexities of his son’s situation. “Despite the circumstances, he is handling it well. Injuries never occur at a convenient time, and a player must be prepared for any eventuality. It’s challenging, but we must remain optimistic. There are far worse injuries than this one. The uncertainty stems from the recovery process, as there is little historical data on this type of injury. It’s a stress fracture, which is more internal rather than an injury to the toes. This lack of documentation leaves us with many questions regarding his recovery.”

This season, Merino has been a vital contributor to the Arsenal squad, netting six goals across all competitions. However, Arteta will now have to navigate the upcoming matches without him. Arsenal faces a demanding schedule, with their next Premier League match set for Thursday against Brentford, followed by an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Wigan Athletic on Sunday.