Leeds United v Arsenal - Premier League
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is set to be without Mikel Merino for some time (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are expected to be without Mikel Merino for a ‘sustained spell’ due to a foot injury.
The Gunners bounced back from their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Manchester United to run out 4-0 victors over Leeds on Saturday, with Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus all on target at Elland Road.
But having come on as a substitute against United, Merino was left out of Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad to face Leeds.
‘He’s got an issue in his foot,’ Arsenal head coach Arteta told reporters when asked about Merino’s surprise absence.
‘It’s a bone that’s giving him some pain, and we have some exams, we need some more specialists to look at it and to see how long he will be out.’
According to the BBC, the Spain international is set for a ‘sustained spell on the sidelines’, which comes as a significant blow to the Premier League leaders at what is a crucial stage of the season.
The report claims the severity and exact nature of Merino’s issue will be made clear over the next 48 hours, with the midfielder likely to be missing for ‘a number of weeks’.
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Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
Merino is likely to be sidelined for several weeks (Picture: Getty)
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Merino was signed as a deep-lying midfielder by Arsenal back in 2024 but the Spaniard’s versatility has proven invaluable for Arteta, with the ex-Real Sociedad man often filling in as a makeshift centre-forward.
The 29-year-old has scored four goals in the Premier League this season, while also netting twice in the Champions League.
More to follow.
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