The midfielder is back in training and has an outside chance of playing a role in the Champions League final in Arsenal.
Bookmark popover
Mikel Merino is put through his paces by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Gareth Fuller/PA)open image in gallery
Mikel Merino is put through his paces by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read moreSupport Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
**Your support makes all the difference.**Read more
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino admitted he was on the brink of “crying himself to extinction” as he lifted the lid on the injury nightmare which left him relying on a mobility scooter.
Merino has been sidelined since he had an operation on a fractured foot sustained in Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25.
However, the midfielder is back in training and has an outside chance of playing a role, not only in Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris St Germain a week on Saturday, but Spain’s World Cup bid, too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DV1TA4GDGMt/?img\_index=2&igsh=bnp2OXRxMzYya3Uy
But the 29-year-old, who scored six times across 33 appearances prior to his injury, admitted it has been a long road to recovery watching his team-mates finally secure the club’s first championship in 22 years.
He said: “I was playing through the pain for a little bit, but I wasn’t expecting that a big fracture was going to happen.
“When I got the news that I was going to be out around five months, I could only think about missing the World Cup, missing the end of the season with my team and not being able to help them. I was devastated at the time. It took me a couple of days to recover from it.
“I had two options, cry myself to extinction or keep my head up, be positive and try to use my time to improve other aspects.
“At the beginning I was a little scared, I’m not going to lie. We didn’t have examples from other people who had the same injury. We didn’t know what to expect, what path to take during the recovery and if I was going to be able to play again (this season).
“The first couple of weeks were tough. I tried to crack on with it, have the right mentality, be positive and with the right motivation to try to go forward. But it was very hard to be honest.
“And the mobility scooter was a fun way to see the sun and enjoy time with the dog because I couldn’t walk for two months. It was a hard time on crutches.”
Arsenal’s Merino has been sidelined for the past four months (Mike Egerton/PA)open image in gallery
Arsenal’s Merino has been sidelined for the past four months (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
The injury left Merino watching Arsenal’s bid from glory as an agonised supporter.
“It hasn’t been great watching from the stands,” he admitted. “I’m very nervous watching the team. When things are not going well you want to jump and help them on the pitch. When they are going well, you’re happy.
“It’s been a crazy, crazy couple of months where I had to help the team in a different role. I feel like one of the Arsenal supporters, suffering big time and enjoying every single second when we win.”
Merino raised the prospect of being fit to return for the opening lap of Arsenal’s victory parade at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He concluded: “That’s the goal. I’m with the team. Whenever the gaffer needs, I’ll be ready to do whatever he wants. My foot is great. I feel fit, and I am ready to go.”