Arsenal’s new signing, Mikel Merino, has been dealt an unfortunate blow, suffering a shoulder injury during his first training session with the club. The 28-year-old midfielder, who recently joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad for $41.5 million, was expected to make an immediate impact. However, his debut will be delayed due to this unexpected setback.
The injury occurred during his first training session when Merino collided with teammate Gabriel Magalhães. The collision resulted in Merino landing awkwardly, with Gabriel falling on top of him, causing a suspected small fracture in Merino’s shoulder. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the injury in a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Brighton, stating “It’s very unfortunate. Yesterday he had a collision and he’s got a shoulder injury. It looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks”.
Merino was seen in the stands wearing a sling on his right arm before Arsenal’s match against Brighton. Initial assessments suggest that he could be sidelined for up to two months, depending on the results of further tests. Arteta expressed his disappointment, noting, “He was in so much pain, we have to see. He’ll do more tests which will have more conclusive answers”.
This injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, who had high hopes for Merino’s contribution to their midfield. His absence leaves a gap in Arteta’s plans, especially with the Premier League season already underway. The Gunners will now have to rely on their existing midfield options and hope for a swift recovery for their new signing.
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