Mikel Merino has undergone surgery on a foot injury sustained against Manchester United, and now faces a race to be available again before the end of Arsenal’s season.
Mikel Merino faces a lengthy spell out after foot surgery following Arsenal’s 3–2 defeat to Manchester United, with the Spain international racing against time to feature again this season.
Arsenal confirmed earlier in the week that the midfielder would require an operation on the injury, sustained late in the game at Old Trafford. The procedure has now been carried out, and reports suggest that Merino is expected to spend around eight weeks unable to put serious weight on the affected foot before he can move on to the next stage of his recovery. The club have not placed a definitive date on his return, but the working expectation is that he will be assessed for a possible comeback in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Speaking about the situation, Mikel Arteta described Merino as “a big player for us” and acknowledged the news is “a big blow” given the range of positions he has covered since arriving in north London. Arteta cited his versatility and confirmed the medical staff will monitor his recovery from surgery before providing clearer guidance on his return to full training.
Arteta underlined the unusual nature of the injury, calling it “very rare” and stressing that staff will assess it daily after surgery. He added Merino “will do everything possible to come back quickly”, but emphasised respecting the recovery process.Before the setback, Merino was key in Arsenal’s season after joining from Real Sociedad in 2024. Used in midfield and up front, he offered tactical flexibility, aerial ability, and four goals with three assists. His role-switching benefited Arteta, especially during busy periods.
The timing of the injury means Merino is expected to miss a run of key fixtures in the Premier League and domestic cups, as well as Arsenal’s next Champions League ties. Reports in Spain indicate that he has a stress fracture in his right foot, which generally takes about eight weeks before significant weight can be applied, and then further time for full rehabilitation. As a result, exact predictions for his return will only become clearer as he progresses through these stages of recovery.
There is, however, some optimism in external reporting that he could return for the final stages of the campaign if his recovery proceeds without setbacks. That would be significant for both Arsenal, who remain involved in the title race and in Europe, and the Spanish national football team, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming in the summer.
For now, the focus is on the early phases of rehabilitation following surgery and on ensuring that a rare and complex injury is managed carefully so that Merino can resume what had been a highly promising first full season in north London.