How many Arsenal games Mikel Merino is actually going to miss through injury
Mikel Merino’s Injury: Assessing the Impact on Arsenal’s Season
Arsenal’s recent signing, Mikel Merino, has been dealt a significant blow after suffering a fractured shoulder in training. The Spanish midfielder was expected to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s season, but his injury has raised concerns about the team’s depth and Merino’s potential impact.
According to reports, Merino is expected to miss around 4-6 weeks of action, which could see him sit out up to 7-10 games for Arsenal. This is a significant blow to Mikel Arteta’s side, who were relying on Merino’s creativity and work rate in midfield.
Merino’s absence will be felt in Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures, including crucial Premier League matches against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. These games are critical to Arsenal’s top-four ambitions, and Merino’s absence could hinder their chances of securing vital points.
In addition to the Premier League matches, Merino will also miss Arsenal’s Europa League group stage games, where they face competition from teams like PSV Eindhoven and Bodø/Glimt. Merino’s experience in European competitions would have been invaluable in these games.
Merino’s injury also raises questions about Arsenal’s squad depth. While the team has a talented group of players, Merino’s absence exposes a lack of creativity and guile in midfield. Arteta may need to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Merino.
One potential beneficiary of Merino’s injury could be Fabio Vieira, who has struggled to find his footing since joining Arsenal in the summer. Vieira has the talent and creativity to fill Merino’s role, but he needs to demonstrate his ability to perform consistently.
Another player who could see increased playing time is Emile Smith Rowe, who has been impressive in his cameo appearances this season. Smith Rowe has the potential to be a game-changer for Arsenal, but he needs to stay fit and find consistency.
In conclusion, Mikel Merino’s injury is a significant blow to Arsenal’s season. While the team has the talent and depth to cope with his absence, Merino’s creativity and work rate will be missed. Arteta needs to find a way to fill the void left by Merino and ensure that his team remains competitive in his absence.
