Arsenal star Mikel Merino has admitted it was strange celebrating the Premier League title off the pitch, as he continues his recovery from foot surgery.
The midfielder has been speaking in Spain throughout this week about Arsenal, the World Cup and even Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City. This time it’s an interview with Marca.
Premier League success
It’s a big week for the 29-year-old, who celebrated Arsenal’s Premier League title following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth. And he could be set for more celebrations on Monay when Luis de la Fuente announces his Spain squad for the World Cup.
The midfielder is expected to be a part of that group, having featured regularly for the European Champions under De La Fuente’s reign.
For now, though, the focus is on the Premier League. and he admits that it was a strange sensation celebrating a title without being on the pitch.
“Strange, strange, strange,” he said when asked what it’s like to be crowned without playing.
“I’ve talked about it with my teammates: it’s weird to be celebrating, jumping, and happy without your boots on.
“But I also say that the sooner the better, and in whatever way it happens. The important thing was to secure the championship and, above all, that it was well-deserved.”
“We spent a good while at the training ground watching the match and celebrating afterwards. Then we all got together: staff, physios, trainers, and families. It was wonderful.”
Suffering like Arsenal fans
That title was only part of wider ones for Mikel Merino, who is now on the verge of making it back to the pitch after nearly five months.
He underwent foot surgery at the end of January and has since spent 115 days out of action, missing 25 games for Arsenal to date. Whether he features again before the end of the season, remains to be seen.
It means he’s been forced to watch from the sidelines as Arsenal have battled to their first Premier League title in 22 years. He’s been suffering like everyone else.
“A lot, although for a short period,” he added when asked how much he’s ‘suffered’.
“Especially when I got the news and all your expectations and hopes come crashing down, particularly because of the long recovery time. But I quickly turned things around, leaned on my wife, we saw the positive side. And since then I’ve handled it quite well.
Although anyone who sees me might think I’m not suffering because I keep it inside. I’m calm, still, and analysing a lot, but it’s awful.”.
Surgeons baffled
Even worse for the midfielder was the prospect of missing the World Cup. And his prospects weren’t looking great when even the surgeons were battled by the injury.
“My heart told me from the moment I got injured: “I’m going to make it.” But I knew that was more wishful thinking than reality.
“When I started running and saw that everything was going well, that’s when I thought I could make it. That was the critical moment to see if the surgery had been a success. Success.
“Even surgeons had doubts because there weren’t many similar cases. It’s what caused me the most stress was not having a clear plan. I’m someone who likes to understand what’s happening and know the path forward.
“I’ve had more psychological help at other times in my career than at this one. Here, I needed my close people more: my family, my wife.
“At the beginning, there were some low moments. But as soon as I decided to focus on what I could control and give it my all to reach the World Championship, everything became much easier.”