Mikel Merino has foot surgery and faces tight race to return this season

Mikel Merino has undergone surgery on the foot injury he suffered at the end of Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. The 29-year-old faces a race against time to return before the end of the season as Arsenal sit six points clear at the top of the table. He is set to spend the next eight weeks unable to put serious weight on the affected foot but can still work in the gym.

Merino has scored four goals and registered three assists this season, and there is optimism he will be able to return as the Gunners chase their first Premier League title since 2004. Mikel Arteta acknowledged the uncertainty, saying: “Well, we hope so. I don't know.

Obviously, he needs to go through a procedure, which is never always positive. He's a big player for us. An athlete that has such a versatility and capacity to compete in various positions. Yeah, that's a big blow.” He added: “It's a very rare injury, so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery.

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