Merino completed a move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal towards the end of the summer transfer window in a deal worth around £32million, with Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen in midfield.
However, the 28-year-old, who returned from Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign earlier in the summer, sustained a shoulder injury in his first training session with the Gunners.
It’s understood Merino collided with Gabriel Magalhaes in the session, resulting in a small fracture, and the former Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund man is still waiting to make his first-team debut for Arsenal.
But facing the media ahead of Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat of Leicester, Arteta confirmed Merino was closing in on his return and the midfielder was put through his paces with the rest of the squad this afternoon.
Takehiro Tomiyasu also trained after missing the start of the season with a knee injury and Riccardo Calafiori joined the Japan defender in the session.
There had been fears over Calafiori’s fitness after the Italian was pictured wearing a protective knee sleeve at the weekend – but it appears he has shaken off the problem.
Arsenal fans have had to be patient for Merino to make his debut and it’s fair to say they are excited to finally see the Spaniard in good spirits back out on the grass.
Ben White did not train and looks likely to miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening.
The Englishman has been nursing a groin injury and has missed the club’s last two matches against Bolton and Leicester in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively.
Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle problem – which he suffered while playing for Norway during the international break – and is not expected to return to the fold until late October.
At his pre-match press conference this morning, Arteta appeared to confirm that neither Merino or Tomiyasu would return in time for the Gunners’ encounter with PSG.
‘No big news. We have a training session this afternoon,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters.
‘We have to review a few players. Overall in terms of returning players nothing to give back.’
Arteta revealed that summer addition Calafiori was ‘a bit emotional’ after he suffered an injury scare in the side’s win over Leicester.
‘Obviously he was a bit emotional after the game and let’s see how he is today,’ the Spaniard added.
Asked what has impressed him about Calafiori, Arteta replied: ‘How willing he is.
‘The moment I spoke to him, he made it clear he wanted to come here. He felt he was going to be a perfect fit here and he was.
‘He always has a smile on his face, he is likable. Plus he is a fighter who will do everything he can for the team. He has all those qualities.’
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