Arsenal suffer heavy blow as summer signing Mikel Merino is set to be sidelined for nearly TWO months – after he suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training session
- Arsenal signed Mikel Merino from Spanish club Real Sociedad last week
- Merino hopes to return to action after October international break
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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to be out for almost two months after breaking his shoulder in his first training session after arriving.
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Merino would be sidelined for a period after the midfielder was involved in a clash with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes at the club’s London Colney headquarters.
And the Spain international is not expected back until mid-October, in a major blow for the Gunners.
There is hope that Merino will get a chance to return after the international break in October.
Arsenal play Bournemouth on October 20 and host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek.
Mikel Merino was injured in his very first training session for Arsenal after signing last week
Arsenal will have a hole in midfield against rivals Tottenham following Declan Rice’s red card
The 28-year-old only signed for the club at the beginning of last week, when he was signed from Real Sociedad for £31.6million.
Merino’s prolonged absence poses an immediate problem for Arteta ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on September 15.
Declan Rice has been suspended for the match against Ange Postcoglou’s side following his controversial red card against Brighton on Saturday, leaving Arteta with a hole in his midfield.
Merino would have been a strong contender to feature in the match had Rice been absent, but his injury has forced Arteta to look for alternative options.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have rejected a surprise £29.5million bid from Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad for Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal have rejected a bid for Leandro Trossard (left) despite the arrival of Raheem Sterling
The transfer market in Saudi Arabia is still open and Trossard is a sought-after player for the league, which has plenty of money at its disposal.
But the surprise offer has been rejected by Arteta, who despite signing Raheem Sterling on deadline day does not want to lose any more attacking players.
