Arsenal will be without one of their top scorers for a ‘long term’ spell, with injury causing Gunners to rethink plans ahead of transfer deadline day
Arsenal hit by injuries (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Arsenal have announced that Mikel Merino will undergo surgery on a broken foot and will be out for an “extended period”. Merino, 29, was injured in last weekend’s game against Manchester United and missed the Gunners’ remaining two games.
Manager Mikel Arteta hinted after Saturday’s 4-0 win over Leeds that Merino, Arsenal’s joint third-top scorer this season, will be seen by a specialist for a full diagnosis. The club has now confirmed that the Spaniard is set for a significant layoff.
Arsenal said in a statement on Sunday: “Following a foot injury sustained in the final stages of the game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent diagnostic and specialist tests have confirmed that Mikel Merino has sustained a bone injury in his right foot.”
“Mikel will undergo surgery in the coming days, after which he will begin a recovery and rehabilitation program. Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period of time, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.”
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“Everyone is fully committed to supporting Mikel to return to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Merino’s injury leaves Arsenal in a difficult situation with less than 24 hours until the end of the transfer window. The Gunners are thought to be exploring the market with a view to signing the midfielder on loan before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Arsenal have been focused on making departures throughout this period, but could welcome new signings in the final 24 hours. “The window is there, so we are Arsenal and we need to look at it and say, ‘Okay, what do we need?'” Arteta said in December.
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(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“And we have to actively look for it, but whether we can do that or not is another story. But our job is always to be prepared. Anything can happen, so we hope it’s a very positive one.”
“If you look at other clubs, they have 24 or 25 players in their teams. We have had more injuries than expected, some are unavoidable, but we want to be better and we know how important having the players in place will be this season.”
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