The Arsenal midfielder has played limited minutes in Spain’s past three matches after returning for the Champions League final.
Mikel Merino has returned to full training with Spain after completing two individual sessions on a programme designed to manage his recovery from the foot injury that kept him out for four months.
Merino missed 28 matches for club and country after fracturing a bone in his foot. Mikel Arteta described the problem as a “rare” injury, and the midfielder did not return for Arsenal until the final match of the season, the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Spain have taken a cautious approach since his return. Merino has played no more than 29 minutes in each of their past three matches, two friendlies (22′ and 29′) and one match at the World Cup (19′).
For Arsenal, the update is encouraging after Merino missed a significant part of the title-winning campaign.
Merino’s availability remains important for Spain, but given there were doubts that he would even be fit for the tournament, the priority has been to avoid asking too much of him too soon.
His return to normal training now moves him closer to a full role after several carefully managed appearances.
- Former Gunner still waiting on work permit after transfer exitReiss Nelson is still waiting on a work permit to officially link up with his new Feyenoord teammates, suffering with the same wait period as former Arsenal loanee Raheem Sterling.
- Arsenal 24yo wins Player of the Month awardRiccardo Calafiori has been named Arsenal’s Player of the Month for August, with the Italian international also in contention for the Premier League’s award.
- Newcastle director admits disappointment at sale to ArsenalNewcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has admitted Bruno Guimaraes’ move to Arsenal was the one thing they hadn’t planned for ahead of the summer transfer window.
- Brazil call up 2 Arsenal players but exclude 2 former GunnersGabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes have been called up by Brazil for this month’s international break, but two former Gunners have been left out of the squad.
- Arsenal talent scores ‘world class’ goal in Youth League win over NapoliThe Arsenal u19s handed out two academy debuts in Wednesday’s match against Napoli, but it was 14-year-old Luis Munoz’s world-class finish that stole the headlines.