Arsenal don confirm the full level of Mikel Merino foot injury after worrying reports begin fly around on Sunday evening.
The 29-year-old midfielder bin be surprise absentee for Saturday 4-0 Premier League win against Leeds United, but at that time, Mikel Arteta no fit talk much about the injury.
However, reports wey come out on Sunday talk say Arsenal dey prepare to miss Merino for long time, as fear dey say the former Real Sociedad man don suffer serious foot problem.
After specialist assessment, Arsenal don now reveal say Merino dey struggle with bone injury – wey dem understand say na fracture – and e go need surgery to fix am.
The midfielder fit miss the rest of the season, as Arsenal only talk say the Spaniard target na to return to full training – not competitive matches – before the campaign end.
Arsenal Release Statement on Mikel Merino Foot Injury
“Following the foot injury wey Mikel Merino sustain towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, further assessments and specialist reviews don confirm say Mikel get bone injury for him right foot,” Arsenal talk.
“Mikel go undergo surgery in the coming days and after that, e go begin him recovery and rehabilitation programme.
“We expect say Mikel go dey out for action for extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season. Everybody dey fully focused on supporting Mikel to make sure say e return to full fitness as soon as possible.”
If Merino truly miss the rest of the campaign, the 29-year-old go end the season with total of six goals and three assists from 33 matches across all competitions, including four goals for the Premier League.
Merino now join Max Dowman for the injury list – although the youngster ankle problem no serious and e fit return within the next few weeks – while still no clear update about the injury Bukayo Saka suffer during warm-up at Elland Road.
Arsenal Go Enter Transfer Market to Replace Mikel Merino?
Arsenal admission say Merino dey target return to full training before the end of the season mean say the Spaniard go miss at least two months, and possibly three, depriving Arteta of one experienced and flexible option.
If Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus manage stay fit, Arsenal still dey okay for centre-forward position, but Merino bin arguably the closest option to Declan Rice for the left-eight role.
Arteta now no really get any natural alternative to the England international for that position, and reports say the Gunners don begin check the market for possible loan signing before the January transfer window close.
Another option be say Arsenal fit accelerate their pursuit of young midfielders like Ayyoub Bouaddi, Rodrigo Mendoza or Breno Bidon in the final hours of the window, but Andrea Berta likely go prefer save any permanent deal till summer.
