New Arsenal player Mikel Merino has sustained a shoulder injury during his first training session with the club.
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the £32million Real Sociedad man will be out for “a number of weeks” with a suspected broken bone.
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Merino, whose arrival was announced on Tuesday, was involved in a clash with Gunners defender Gabriel and was later photographed in a sling.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Arteta. “He has a shoulder injury and it looks like he will be out for a few weeks.”
“He landed on the ground and Gabi landed on him. It’s probably a fracture.”
The Gunners followed Merino throughout 2024 and watched the midfielder shine for Spain en route to European Championship triumph.
His arrival brought Arsenal’s summer spending to £97 million, having also secured the services of versatile Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £38 million.
There were hopes that Merino would make his debut in midfield alongside Declan Rice on Saturday, but the 28-year-old will now be out for some time.
More to follow …