Excitement is in the air as Mikel Merino gears up for what could be his first match with Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder made the move to the Gunners from Real Sociedad this past August for a transfer fee of £33 million.
However, his debut was delayed due to a shoulder injury he sustained during his very first training session with the team.
Injury Setback and Recovery
Merino experienced a small fracture in his shoulder, which kept him sidelined for six games.
Fortunately, he’s recently returned to training and is gradually getting back into the swing of things.
On Tuesday afternoon, he was seen alongside his teammates, attending a pre-match meeting at a Hilton hotel in London.
Fans were thrilled to catch a glimpse of Merino as he signed autographs and engaged with supporters outside the hotel.
A video shared by Connor Humm on X (formerly Twitter) showcased the midfielder’s warm interaction with the Arsenal faithful.
Possible Inclusion in Matchday Squad
There’s a good chance that Merino will be included in Mikel Arteta’s squad for the much-anticipated clash with PSG on Tuesday night.
While it’s unlikely that he’ll start the match, his presence on the bench would certainly boost the team’s morale.
Arteta recently mentioned that Merino’s realistic return date might be for the upcoming game against Southampton on October 5.
Coach’s Confidence in Merino
During a press conference last Friday, Arteta discussed Merino’s progress, saying, “Tomorrow is too soon. Next week we’ll see. He had partial training today. He’s been working so hard.”
The coach expressed optimism about Merino’s recovery, noting, “It’s looking good. It’s about the healing of the bone and how mature that is to expose him to contact basically.”
Arteta emphasized the need to be cautious, as Merino has been eager to return, pushing his physiotherapists and doctors to get back on the field.
“We are trying to keep him in the cage,” Arteta joked, “and he really wants it.”
Arsenal’s Champions League Campaign
As Arsenal aims for their first victory in this season’s Champions League, the stakes are high.
They kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw against Atalanta. Meanwhile, PSG started strong, securing a 1-0 win against Girona last month.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, and fans are hopeful to see Merino take the field soon!
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