Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title has taken a major hit as injuries continue to pile up. While much attention has been on Kai Havertz, Mikel Arteta has now confirmed how serious another setback is. Midfielder Mikel Merino has had foot surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months.
The Severity of the Mikel Merino Injury
The Spain international injured his right foot during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last month. Mikel Merino joined the Gunners for a reported initial fee of £27.4 million. The injury came at a bad time, just as he was becoming a key player for the team. He has since undergone surgery to help the bone heal properly.
As per reports, Mikel Arteta confirmed the seriousness of the issue during a recent press conference. “I think the doctors were really happy with the way [the surgery] went. Now it’s the start of obviously a long process, we’re talking about bone healing. So, we’ll respect the timings… the timeframes, we’re talking about months – whether it’s three, four or five, we don’t know.”– Said Mikel Arteta
This period of recovery means that Merino could miss most of the remaining title race. Before the injury, he was in strong form. He has scored 12 goals for club and country this season.
🚨 Mikel Arteta wants to keep Mikel Merino close to the Arsenal squad, after undergoing surgery this week. The Spaniard is a popular figure and key voice in the dressing room, and will be included in team meetings due to his tactical knowledge. 🧠🇪🇸 [@sr_collings] pic.twitter.com/66xXZzbic6
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) February 13, 2026
Another setback for Kai Havertz
While the spotlight remains on midfield concerns, Kai Havertz is dealing with another setback. The German forward suffered a muscle injury soon after returning from a five-month knee layoff in 2025. He had been in fine form since January, scoring twice and adding two assists in four games. He also netted the winner against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
This new muscle issue will likely keep him out of football action for around a month. He missed the game against Brentford and is likely to sit out clashes with Wigan and Wolves. He is also a major doubt for the North London derby against Tottenham.
Arteta has already spoken about how crucial he is for the team and how he elevates the team to a new level. His absence creates more problems, especially with Mikel Merino also out injured.
Arsenal’s Growing Injury List
Mikel Merino’s absence is just one of many problems for Arteta when choosing the first team. The injury list is getting longer at a crucial stage of the season. Captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are both managing muscle and hip problems.
The Gunners are also checking Leandro Trossard after he took a knock in the win over Sunderland. Young talent Max Dowman is still out with an ankle injury from December, but he is close to coming back. In defense, illness recently kept William Saliba out of the draw with Brentford, but he is expected back for the FA Cup.
These injuries are putting pressure on the squad as they play in several competitions. Dealing with these fitness problems is now the main focus for the staff. The team must look within the squad for answers to stay at the top of the league table.
Growing Concerns for the Gunners as Mikel Merino remains sidelined
The timing of these injuries is worrying as Arsenal try to stay top of the Premier League. After a 1-1 draw with Brentford, where Noni Madueke scored first, but Keane Lewis-Potter made it equal later. As a result, the North London club are now only four points clear of Manchester City. Mikel Arteta now has to keep the team strong without Merino’s experience and without Havertz’s versatility. This tough period will test the squad’s spirit. The medical team is working hard to help injured players return safely. The fit players must step up in the final weeks of the season.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
Recommended for you