Arsenal suffered a huge blow as the transfer window is just a day away from being shut. New signing Mikel Merino has suffered a shoulder injury, which will keep him away from football for a few weeks. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Merino suffered a suspected fractured shoulder in his first training session with the club. The Gunners signed the 28-year-old midfielder for around 32 million pounds from Real Sociedad.
In the pre-match conference, Arteta said, “Very unfortunate yesterday (Thursday), he (Mikel Merino) had a collision, and he has got a shoulder injury unfortunately. It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks.” Talking about the extent of the injury, he added, “It looks like he has got a small fracture, probably. We have to see (how long he will be out); he was in so much pain, we have to wait to do some more tests. Then we will have more conclusive answers. This is football.”
How will Arsenal cope with that injury?
Arteta had believed that the addition of Merino to the squad would prove to be a fine addition, but his injury during the training session comes as a problem for the manager. Merino’s capability to play in a deep midfield role was something that Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director, was very fond of. Now, to deal with it either of Thomas Partey, the usual player who used to play in that position for the club will be called up, or Jorginho can also be a suitable replacement.
As things stand, Arteta will look to find solutions within the squad rather than look into the transfer market to replace Merino.
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