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Paul Merson shares verdict on Mikel Merino’s Arsenal injury, picks out a potential positive
Arsenal fans may hope for one last signing before the transfer deadline but Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow ahead of facing Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling ahead of the transfer deadline.
Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Sterling but whether he actually joins Arsenal in the final hours of the window remains to be seen.
One deal which appears to be much closer is the arrival of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
The Gunners are set to land Neto as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale after he completed his move to Southampton.
That may bring the curtain down on Arsenal’s incoming summer business – despite receiving a nasty injury blow.
Paul Merson on Mikel Merino injury
Arsenal fans may have been hoping to see new signing Mikel Merino in action against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Merino completed his move from Real Sociedad this week and he appeared primed for a debut – even if only off the bench.
However, Merino has suffered a horrible slice of luck ahead of facing the Seagulls this weekend.
Merino has suffered what appears to be a fractured shoulder in training having after an unfortunate fall whilst tangling with Gabriel Magalhaes.
The likelihood is that Merino will be out for a few weeks, possibly even a month as he recovers from his shoulder injury.
Pundit and former Arsenal star Paul Merson has now offered his reaction, noting that Merino is just ‘bang out of luck’ having suffered this injury blow.
Speaking on (30/08, 2:10pm) Merson did point out a potential positive though, highlighting that the international break is coming up.
That will take up two weeks of the recovery time and limits the number of games Merino will potentially miss.
Arsenal fans won’t see Merino in action this weekend but hopefully don’t have to wait too long until seeing his debut display.
“Yeah, 100%, it’s just bad luck,” said Merson. “It’s different training, it’s physical training in the Premier League, a bit different to Spain. He’s come in, he’s bumped into Gabriel and he’s done his shoulder. Just bang out of luck, absolutely bang out of luck.
“Lucky enough, the international break for a couple of weeks is coming up so we’ll have to wait and see, but hopefully it isn’t a bad one,” he added.
Games Mikel Merino could miss for Arsenal
Merino will not be involved against Brighton but if you see a man wearing a sling in the stands at the Emirates Stadium, it may well be Merino.
The Spaniard will then miss his country’s National League fixtures against Serbia and Switzerland in the opening days of September.
Arsenal then return from the international break with a huge North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Merino would no doubt love to be involved in that game but Arsenal won’t take any chances with his recovery.
The EFL Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers may be the game in mind for Merino’s return before Arsenal travel to Manchester City.
A home clash with Leicester City ends September before Arsenal open October with a home game against Southampton.
Merino will hopefully be back by then but Arsenal will be keen to give him as long as possible to truly recover from this injury blow.