{"id":55,"date":"2026-03-26T16:14:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/2026\/03\/26\/arsenal-get-update-on-mikel-merino-injury-after-carabao-cup-final-development-2\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:14:09","slug":"arsenal-get-update-on-mikel-merino-injury-after-carabao-cup-final-development-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=55","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal get update on Mikel Merino injury after Carabao Cup final development"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_435ad3\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Mikel Merino has been sidelined since January, when he suffered a bone stress fracture in his foot which required surgery<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33666247\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33666247.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267834831.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33666247.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2267834831.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33666247.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2267834831.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33666247.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267834831.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Mikel Merino of Arsenal inspects the pitch whilst on crutches alongside team mates Max Dowman prior to the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; MARCH 22: Mikel Merino of Arsenal inspects the pitch whilst on crutches alongside team mates Max Dowman prior to the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Merino will reportedly be back from injury in time to feature for Spain at this summer&#8217;s World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The versatile Arsenal midfielder has been sidelined since January when he fractured a bone in his foot during the 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United &#8211; a game in which he scored.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He then underwent successful surgery in February and shortly after the procedure, club team-mate and compatriot Martin Zubimendi said he didn&#8217;t know if Merino would be back in time for the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/as.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">AS<\/a> are now reporting that a source close to Merino has confirmed he&#8217;ll be fine to feature for La Roja in North America.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! <a aria-label=\"Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It begs the question whether Merino will be back in time to play a part in Arsenal&#8217;s season, though at this stage, that&#8217;s still unknown and they will not rush his return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">What&#8217;s positive is that Merino was at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to watch Arsenal lose 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He was also only on one crutch, which is seemingly progress from recent weeks when he&#8217;s still been using two.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Merino was spotted walking on the pitch before the game, albeit with a protective boot, as he accompanied some of his team-mates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Since then, a number of Arsenal players have also picked up injuries and withdrawn from their respective international squads.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33639358\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33639358\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Injured Arsenal star Mikel Merino looks to have made huge progress in his recovery\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33639358.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Mikel-Merino.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33639358.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Mikel-Merino.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33639358.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Mikel-Merino.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33639358.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Mikel-Merino.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Injured Arsenal star Mikel Merino was on the pitch with his team-mates at Wembley\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Injured Arsenal star Mikel Merino was on the pitch with his team-mates at Wembley<cite aria-label=\"Image: (Photo by Alex Burstow\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: (Photo by Alex Burstow\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Martin Odegaard is closing in on a return from a knee problem while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both resting their ankle and knee, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Eberechi Eze is battling a calf problem while Jurrien Timber remains absent with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Leandro Trossard is also resting his hip after recently picking up an issue in the FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are all competing for the centre-forward role, Arsenal have missed Merino and his ability to impact the game from multiple positions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He can feature as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder or a false-nine, as he has done so on so many occasions for Arsenal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Merino has played 1,877 minutes so far this season and mustered six goals and three assists in all competitions.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32887284\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 615px) 615px, (max-width: 810px) 810px, 1168px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg\" srcset=\"&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n615\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 615w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n810\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 810w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 1168w&#10;    \"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_b19c55\">Welcome to &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; &#8211; our new Arsenal podcast<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ve launched a new Arsenal podcast &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side every step of the way &#8211; and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League &#8211; and they&#8217;re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ll provide insight and reaction &#8211; and have fun along the way &#8211; as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We&#8217;ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to view our YouTube channelLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SeeingRedArsenal\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to view our YouTube channel<!-- --><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to download our podcastsLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/pod.link\/1652497071\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to download our podcasts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mikel Merino has been sidelined since January, when he suffered a bone stress fracture in his foot which required surgery LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; MARCH 22: Mikel Merino of Arsenal inspects the pitch whilst on crutches alongside team mates Max Dowman prior to the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/56"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}