Arsenal received a significant injury boost ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to the swift recovery of Mikel Merino.
The midfielder, who joined the Gunners for £31.6 million late in the summer transfer window, endured a frustrating start to his Arsenal career, suffering a fractured shoulder during his very first training session.
Initially, Merino was expected to be sidelined for around two months, but in a surprising turn of events, he returned to training just one month after his injury.
This development brings hope for his potential inclusion in the squad as Arsenal gears up to host PSG, a match that promises to be both exciting and challenging.
Despite the encouraging news about Merino’s return, it remains uncertain when manager Mikel Arteta will grant him his long-awaited debut.
The club is cautious, wanting to ensure that the 28-year-old is fully fit before making his first appearance.
In a sign of the club’s cautious approach, Arteta refrained from providing an update on Merino’s condition during Monday’s pre-match press conference, choosing instead to discuss the statuses of defenders Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori.
White did not participate in Monday’s training session, raising concerns about his fitness, while Calafiori, who was previously feared to have sustained a knee injury during the match against Leicester City, was seen training with the squad.
Arteta remarked, “We have to review a few players. Overall, in terms of returning players, nothing to give back.”
Adding to Arsenal’s injury woes, captain Martin Ødegaard has been absent due to a severe ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway.
Nevertheless, the team has managed to maintain a solid domestic form, as evidenced by their impressive 4-2 victory over Leicester City on Saturday.
This result was particularly important, especially with reigning champions Manchester City dropping points against Newcastle United, allowing Arsenal to stay close to Premier League leaders Liverpool, who triumphed 2-1 over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
As the Gunners prepare for their pivotal match against PSG, fans are left eagerly anticipating the return of Merino and the potential impact he could have on the squad.
