Mikel Merino Recovers from Injury

Mikel Merino is recovering well from his foot fracture, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stating he's out of his boot and doing exercises.

The Spain international suffered a fracture in his right foot during a training session with Arsenal in early February.

He underwent surgery and was initially expected to be out for around four months.

Merino's injury came at a bad time, as he had been a key player for Arsenal in their pursuit of the UEFA Champions League and Premier League titles.

He had recorded six goals and three assists in 33 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions before being sidelined.

Arsenal and Spain are closely monitoring Merino's recovery, with Arteta showing confidence in the midfielder's ability to return to the pitch sooner than expected.

Merino started every match for Spain in the World Cup qualifiers and played an active role in their run to the UEFA Nations League final.

He is a key presence in midfield for Spain, and his recovery is crucial for the team's chances in the 2026 World Cup.

Arteta said Merino is "doing quite a lot of exercises already" and has "no pain".

The midfielder's versatility and attacking instinct have been valuable assets for Arsenal, with Arteta deploying him as a 'false 9' at times.

Merino's return to fitness would be a significant boost for both Arsenal and Spain.

The 2026 World Cup is getting closer, and Spain will be hoping Merino can regain his fitness in time to play a key role in the tournament.

Merino's progress will be closely watched by football fans around the world.

As of now, Merino's recovery is on track, and he could return to the pitch sooner than expected.