Mikel Merino Arsenal injury latest as Mikel Arteta finally close to dream midfield trio

Arsenal summer signing Mikel Merino is closing in on a return to action, but Saturday’s game against Leicester City will come too soon for the midfielder.

The Spaniard has been forced to wait to make his debut for the club following his summer move from Real Sociedad. He picked up a shoulder injury in one of his early training sessions with his new teammates.

The original diagnosis for the injury was a six-week absence. It is now approaching that timeline, and it seems that the player is on schedule. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Leicester, Mikel Arteta said: “Tomorrow is too soon. Next week we’ll see.

“He had partial training today. It's looking good It’s about the healing of the bone and how mature that is to expose him to contact basically."

When asked what the midfielder will bring to the team upon his return, Arteta added: “He’s gonna bring first an unbelievable football brain. He’s so intelligent, how he decides and occupies space.”

Merino will be joined by club captain Martin Odegaard on the sidelines. The Norway international suffered a twisted ankle while on international duty. Once the duo return, they are likely to line up alongside Declan Rice to form the midfield trio that Arteta has been waiting for.

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Goalkeeper David Raya will be assessed ahead of the game to see if he can make a recovery in time to feature. If he is not fit, then Neto is expected to make his debut for the club in goal, after being cup-tied against Bolton.

Leandro Trossard also missed that game through suspension but is expected to be available. As are Jurrien Timber and Ben White, who have both recovered from injury.