Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 14 March 2026 10:32, UK

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Arsenal stars have reacted after Mikel Merino shared an update on his recovery from a serious foot injury.

The midfielder underwent surgery in February after suffering a stress fracture in January’s loss to Manchester United.

Arsenal hope he will return before the end of the campaign, but any chance of the 29-year-old’s involvement still remains up in the air.

The Gunners have felt Merino’s absence, with Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice particularly affected by the lack of rotation.

Arsenal’s injury problems have been prominent throughout the season, with even their extremely deep squad stretched to its limit.

William Saliba and Declan Rice react to Mikel Merino update

Arsenal considered replacing Merino on transfer deadline day after news of his injury had emerged, but ultimately decided against it.

The Spain international had started just 10 games in the Premier League, but he had appeared in all but one of them before his injury.

Always making an impact, the dynamic midfielder could easily add goal threat if necessary, or help see out a game by keeping the ball safe.

Arsenal have lost both those qualities, as well as Merino’s absurd ability to play as an auxiliary striker.

Discovered by Mikel Arteta last season when both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were injured, the 29-year-old was thrust into the head of the attack for the first time in his career and, inexplicably, thrived.

He scored against Chelsea, Fulham, Leicester City, PSV and even Real Madrid in a staggering run to the end of the season, impressing enough that Arteta deployed the same tactic in November when Viktor Gyokeres joined Jesus and Havertz on the sidelines.

In a run of just six matches, Merino netted four goals and provided three assists, proving his ability to play the position once again.

Sharing an update to his Instagram on Friday, the Spaniard wrote: “Pushing to be back stronger and enjoying every step of the process. Getting better every day”.

William Saliba and Declan Rice were among the Arsenal stars to like the post.

What Mikel Arteta said about Merino

There were some doubts surrounding Merino’s ability when Arsenal signed him in a £31.6million deal in 2024.

The Spain international was not the flashy name fans were looking for, but it became quickly apparent that he was what they needed.

“He was immense again I think today,” Arteta said after Merino nodded in the opener against Brentford in December.

“The way he scored the ball, super smart. His timing, the way he wins the position and execution. But after his overall performance, with the ball, without the ball, I remember an action that he passed the ball to Martin [Odegaard] in behind.

“Martin doesn’t chase it, he makes 40 metres to chase it to the corner flag and goes back, wins the ball back.

“He is everywhere and his goal with that really good momentum at the moment and he makes the team much better.”