Arsenal have suffered a serious setback with a shoulder injury, with new signing Mikel Merino sidelined for two months.
The Gunners completed their lengthy transfer campaign for the Spain international in the final days of the Premier League transfer window.
Mikel Arteta convinced his namesake to leave Real Sociedad and return to English football last month, but his first few weeks at the Emirates Stadium have been a disaster.
Arteta has confirmed he will miss this weekend’s 1-1 EPL draw against Brighton & Hove Albion after an accidental training ground collision with defensive star Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, after further tests the extent of the injury was revealed and the 28-year-old will be out for an extended period.
According to the latest update of the Daily MailMerino fractured his shoulder and will not return to action until late October at the earliest.
The current schedule sees his return after the October international break, with Arsenal away to Bournemouth on October 20, followed by clashes with Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool.
A more realistic return date could be November, with Arsenal facing a busy schedule before the end of 2025.
