Mikel Merino makes honest injury admission amid Mikel Arteta verdict Arsenal will love
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has quipped that he has "forgotten" about his shoulder injury and insists he feels primed for action after his delayed start to the season.
The summer signing only made his debut for the Gunners this month - having been forced to wait for his maiden outing due to a shoulder fracture sustained in his first training session. The midfielder, 28, picked up the issue after defender Gabriel Magalhaes fell on him in unfortunate circumstances.
Merino has since recovered from that setback and even managed to get around an hour's worth of play under his belt across two substitute appearances. The Spaniard came on in the second half during Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, at the start of October, before being given half-an-hour in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League.
Merino will now continue to build-up his match fitness on international duty, having been reselected for reigning Euro 2024 champions Spain for this break's Nations League matches against Denmark and Serbia. The 28-year-old has told Spanish media that he feels ready to play.
"I feel very well, strong, and having forgotten the fractured scapula injury I suffered," the midfielder said, as per Mundo Deportivo. "I'm very happy to begin this new adventure with my team-mates; I'm looking forward to it."
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Arsenal paid Real Sociedad an initial £28.4million for Merino in August amid a summer the player will not forget in a hurry having also won Euro 2024 with his country. He has explained why he feels the move to the Emirates Stadium was the next best step for him.
He added: "This summer has been one of the best of my life. My life has changed with the Euros and my signing for Arsenal. It was a project that really caught my attention, very ambitious. It's a time in my career when I'm looking to grow and win titles."
Merino further unpacked how Mikel Arteta's persona is "infectious", which he admires. "He's a coach who has a lot of passion for what he does," the former Real Sociedad man continued.
"He loves the tactics of the game and also the emotional [side] or management of the group. I also feel passionate about mine and when you see others like you, then it's infectious."