Arsenal‘s summer signing Mikel Merino is set to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during a training session, according to @Teamnewsandtix.

The Spaniard, who recently joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad, will miss at around eight fixtures, dealing a significant blow to Mikel Arteta‘s plans early in the season.

Mikel Merino in an Arsenal kit in 2024 (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Mikel Merino in an Arsenal kit in 2024 (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Merino sustained the injury in what has been described as a freak training ground incident.

Arsenal manager Arteta confirmed the unfortunate news, explaining the circumstances of the injury.

“Yes, very unfortunate,” Arteta said. “Yesterday he had a collision, and he has a shoulder injury. It looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks. He was really excited and everything was looking really good. He landed on the floor, and Gabi landed on top of him, and it looks like he has a small fracture probably.”

The timing of the injury, believed to be a fracture, is particularly frustrating, as Merino was expected to make an immediate impact following his move from Real Sociedad.

Merino joined Arsenal this summer in what was seen as a significant addition to Arteta’s squad, particularly for his versatility and ability to control the midfield.

However, his integration into the team will now be delayed due to this injury.

There were initial reports from Spain suggesting that Merino might have been nursing an injury before his transfer to Arsenal.

However, these concerns were quickly dispelled, with the club clarifying that Merino’s participation in individual training sessions was more about easing him into the squad rather than due to any pre-existing condition.

Merino’s injury history and recovery prospects

Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on March 5, 2024. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on March 5, 2024. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Historically, Merino’s injury record has been relatively positive.

Since making his professional debut in the 2014/15 season, he has missed 47 games for club and country, averaging four to five matches missed per campaign.

Importantly, this is the first time Merino has suffered a shoulder injury, suggesting no previous vulnerability in this area.

Arteta and the Arsenal medical team will now focus on Merino’s recovery, with hopes that he can return to action sooner rather than later.