Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who joined from Real Sociedad for £32.6 million this summer, has suffered a shoulder injury during his first training session with the club. The injury occurred when he clashed with Gabriel Magalhaes, and he may have fractured his shoulder. Initially, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta said Merino would be out for a few weeks, but it now appears he could be sidelined for almost two months.
Merino’s absence means he will miss several important games for Arsenal, including the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15, and a Champions League match against Atalanta BC on September 19. He will also be unavailable for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Manchester City and their EFL Cup tie with Bolton Wanderers. The team hopes he can return after the October international break, possibly for games against Bournemouth or Shakhtar Donetsk.
In addition to Merino’s injury, Arsenal will also be without Declan Rice for the match against Tottenham. Rice was sent off for two yellow cards in a recent game against Brighton & Hove Albion. With both Merino and Rice unavailable, Arteta may need to start Jorginho in midfield alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
Arteta could also consider using Kai Havertz in midfield, which would allow Gabriel Jesus to start as the main striker if he recovers from his groin injury. However, since Havertz is better suited as a striker, it’s likely that the experienced Jorginho will get the nod to play in the North London derby.
