Mikel Merino Undergoes Surgery for Foot Injury

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has undergone surgery to address a stress fracture in his right foot, an injury sustained during a 3-2 loss to Manchester United on January 25. The operation was deemed necessary to facilitate his recovery, and Merino has expressed optimism about his rehabilitation process. Following the surgery, he posted on Instagram, stating, “Surgery done! Already closer to be back. Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge. Vamos!”

Arsenal star’s surgery successful as more injury details emerge

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that Merino is expected to be sidelined for approximately four months due to the nature of the injury, which Arteta described as "very rare." This timeline suggests that Merino may miss the remainder of the Premier League season, which raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Reports from Spain suggest that he might resume training by May, potentially allowing him to return to action before the season concludes, depending on Arsenal's progress in various competitions.

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Merino's absence is significant for Arsenal, who are competing for titles across multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Although he is not considered a starter in the strongest lineup, his versatility has been valuable, allowing him to fill various roles, including that of an emergency center forward. His contributions this season include four goals and three assists in 21 league appearances.

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Arteta has emphasized the importance of supporting Merino during his recovery, stating, “Mikel offers something unique in the team but he’s going to be out for four months unfortunately.” He also noted the need to monitor Merino's recovery closely to assess when he might be fit to return to play.

Sports Illustrated

While Arsenal is hopeful for Merino's return, there are concerns regarding the impact of his absence on the squad's depth and performance during the critical final stages of the season. Additionally, Merino's father has provided insights into the injury, describing it as a stress fracture that is not well-documented, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding his recovery.

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As Merino begins his rehabilitation, the focus will be on his recovery and the potential for him to regain fitness in time for the World Cup. His participation in the tournament is uncertain, as he may not be fit until shortly before Spain's first match against Cape Verde on June 15. The situation remains fluid, with Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente needing to make decisions regarding squad selections based on Merino's recovery progress.

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• “Surgery done! Already closer to be back. Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge. Vamos!” — Mikel Merino, Arsenal Midfielder

ESPN

• “Mikel offers something unique in the team but he’s going to be out for four months unfortunately with a very rare injury,” — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager

Sports Illustrated