LONDON (AP) – Spain midfielder Mikel Merino should be fit for the World Cup after a “long term” absence from Arsenal due to a right foot injury.
Premier League bosses announced late on Sunday that Merino would undergo surgery to repair a bone injury sustained in a home game against Manchester United on January 25.
Arsenal said in a statement: “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 by the end of the season.”
Merino was a member of the Spanish national team that won the 2024 European Championship, scoring the winning goal in extra time in the quarter-finals against Germany.
The World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11th.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
