Mikel Merino’s recovery from surgery on his foot is progressing well but reports in Spain continue to claim that he will be touch and go for the World Cup this summer.

There has been no mention from Arsenal that Mikel Merino’s foot injury, which has kept him out of action since January and required surgery, has ended his season.
Reading the media in Spain, however, that has been clear for a couple of months.
The injury, which has been described as ‘rare’ by both Mikel Arteta and Merino’s father, is apparently healing well and, according to the last update Arteta gave a couple of weeks ago, he is out of his protective boot.
Still, Sport in Spain believe that it is far from certain that he will be fit for the World Cup this summer, despite Spain manager Luis De La Fuente being prepared to wait until the last possible moment to include him, such is his importance.

Sport writes, “Merino suffered a major bone injury that forced him to undergo surgery. The recovery is on the right track and De la Fuente is going to wait for him until the last moment, but today his presence cannot be totally assured.”
Merino has already missed 18 matches for Arsenal and, with injuries to other midfielders.
With six goals and three assists before his injury, he has been sorely missed.
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