Arsenal will be without one of their top goalscorers for an 'extended period', with the injury prompting the Gunners to rethink their plans for transfer deadline day
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Arsenal have suffered an injury blow(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have confirmed that Mikel Merino will have surgery on a broken foot, forcing him to miss an 'extended period'. Merino, 29, was absent for the Gunners' last two games after sustaining the injury against Manchester United last weekend.
Mikel Arteta indicated after Saturday's thumping 4-0 win away to Leeds that Merino - Arsenal's joint-third top goalscorer this season - would see a specialist to establish a full diagnosis. The club have now confirmed that the Spaniard is set for a significant layoff.
On Sunday, Arsenal released a statement which read: "Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed Mikel Merino has a bone injury in his right foot.
"Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme. Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.
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"Everyone is fully focused on supporting Mikel to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible."
Merino's injury has left Arsenal in a challenging situation with less than 24 hours until the transfer window closes. The Gunners are understood to be exploring the market with the view to signing a midfielder on loan before Monday's 7pm deadline.
Arsenal have been focussed on outgoings throughout the window but could now welcome a new recruit in the final 24 hours. "The window is there and I mean we are Arsenal and we have to be looking at it, 'Okay, what do we need?'" Arteta said in December.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"And we have to be actively looking and then, whether we can do it or not, that's a different story. But our job is to always be very prepared because something can happen, so hopefully it'll be very positive.
"When you look across the other clubs, they have 24 or 25 squad players. Although we have had more injuries than expected, some of them not avoidable, we want to be better and we know how important the part of having the right availability with players is going to be this season."