Mikel Merino has joked that the true test of his fractured foot came during Tuesday’s jubilant title celebrations, before making his formal return to full training on Thursday.
Sidelined since undergoing surgery in February, the Spain international could make his comeback on Sunday when newly crowned champions Arsenal face Crystal Palace in what is effectively a dead rubber.
With one eye already on the Champions League final, Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate heavily, which could hand Merino some valuable competitive minutes ahead of Spain’s World Cup campaign (assuming he gets picked).
“My foot is great,” Merino told [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/arsenal-mikel-merino-injury/) at a UEFA-organised media day.
“I’m not even thinking about it anymore. I’m just really pleased to be outside with the lads today.
“I’ve been training really hard, in the grass and inside with strength and conditioning coaches and physios, trying to give everything every single day to be as close to perfection when I’m back with the team. I’m very good. I feel fit. I’m ready to go.”
“That was the acid test,” he joked when asked about the full-throttle celebrations that followed confirmation of Arsenal’s title triumph.
“If my foot could withstand those jumps, it could withstand anything.”
When Merino’s fracture was first diagnosed, there were doubts over whether he would play again this season, or even recover in time for the World Cup.
“I was devastated at the time. It took me a couple of days to recover from it. I had two options: to go down and cry myself to extinction or keep my head up, be positive, and try to use my time to improve other aspects. Working as hard as I can is the way I approach life.”
As one of Arsenal’s seven-man leadership group, Merino remained closely connected to the squad throughout his rehabilitation. He felt supported during some difficult moments and, in turn, tried to help teammates whenever the pressure of the title race threatened to weigh heavily.
“As an injured player also you have a role to go through with your teammates. I tried to be close to them and found out they were very close to me as well.
“Every time they saw me, they were asking me how I was doing, if I was better, telling me they were rooting for me, and that I was going to get back soon enough to help them and score a header in the Champions League final.
“Those conversations always give you a little extra motivation, make you feel included.”
We’ll be rooting for Mikel on Sunday. He’s been a big miss, so we’re glad to see him back. Fingers crossed, he comes through the occasion unscathed.