Merino misses Arsenal debut after shoulder injury. Arsenal’s latest signing Mikel Merino is facing a difficult start to his Gunners career after suffering a shoulder injury in his first training session. The injury occurred in a collision with team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes, has kept the midfielder out for several weeks. This is preventing him from making his long-awaited debut against Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of £31.6m and excitement surrounded his arrival as he was seen as a key addition to bolster the midfield. However, during a routine training session on 29 August 2024, Merino landed awkwardly after a challenge, causing Gabriel to accidentally fall on top of him. Initial assessments revealed that Merino had suffered a minor shoulder fracture, leading to a prognosis of just weeks.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment at the injury, saying: “It’s a shame. He was really excited and everything seemed really good. It looks like he has a small fracture, and we’ll have to see how long he’ll be out. Further tests will provide more clarity on the extent of the injury and the recovery timetable.

Merino misses Arsenal debut and his absence is a big blow for Arsenal. This, especially as they prepare for a difficult Premier League season. The Gunners have started the season strongly, winning their first two games, but losing Merino. The team will need to rely on their existing midfield options or possibly look for new reinforcements. The transfer window approaches and further reinforcements as the transfer window approaches its deadline.

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In a related development, Arsenal confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton on the same day. Ramsdale’s move comes after losing his starting place to David Raya last season. His departure has seen Arsenal agree a loan deal for Neto from Bournemouth, who will bolster their defence.

With a Premier League game against Brighton looming, Arsenal will have to go through this period without Merino. The club’s medical staff will be closely monitoring his recovery and his return will be eagerly awaited by supporters and teammates. Meanwhile, the Gunners will look to build on their strong start to the season against Brighton, who have also shown promising signs.

For Ramsdale, his move to Southampton marks a new chapter in his career and both clubs. This will be keen to see how the changes impact their respective campaigns. Arsenal’s ability to adapt to these early setbacks will be crucial in their quest for success in the Premier League and beyond.