Arsenal boss Arteta gives Mikel Merino injury update 

Arsenal have released the following statement regarding the extend of Mikel Merino's injury.

Influential Merino will undergo surgery on a bone injury in his right foot in the coming days

Merino made 33 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions this season, and scored his sixth goal of the season in the recent defeat to Man Utd.

The Spain international joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2024.

The club said: "Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed Mikel Merino has a bone injury in his right foot.

"Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme. 

"Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.Everyone is fully focused on supporting Mikel to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added in his pre-Chelsea press-conference on Monday on if Merino will be back training before the end of the season: "We hope so. I don't know, he needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive.

"He's a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that's a big blow."

When asked if it was a fracture, Arteta simply said: "Yes."