Mikel Merino's return to training sparks celebration among Arsenal fans after injury setback

Merino sealed a late transfer from Real Sociedad to Arsenal in a deal worth approximately £32 million, as Mikel Arteta sought to bolster his midfield options before the transfer window closed.

However, the 28-year-old, who returned from Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign earlier in the summer, sustained a shoulder injury in his first training session with the Gunners.

It’s understood Merino collided with Gabriel Magalhaes during the session, resulting in a small fracture, and the former Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund man is still waiting to make his first-team debut for Arsenal.

But facing the media ahead of Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat of Leicester, Arteta confirmed Merino was closing in on his return and the midfielder was put through his paces with the rest of the squad this afternoon.

Takehiro Tomiyasu also trained after missing the start of the season with a knee injury and Riccardo Calafiori joined his team-mates in the session.

There had been fears over Calafiori’s fitness after the Italian was pictured wearing a protective knee sleeve at the weekend – but it appears he has shaken off the problem.

Merino, Calafiori and Tomiyasu all out for #AFC training here pic.twitter.com/R320ZF4tUN

— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) September 30, 2024

Merino will no doubt be desperate to return to full fitness as quickly as possible and pictures of the Spaniard back out on the grass had Arsenal fans celebrating across social media.

Me after the first martinelli – merino give and go on Saturday pic.twitter.com/DD9UvleUYl

— Jake🧃 (@afcjaake) September 30, 2024

Mikel Merino and Tomiyasu are back. Good times lie ahead pic.twitter.com/v17DF5d1xT

— Afc Soldier (@afc_soldier) September 30, 2024

Look at that pass from Merino😭😭 https://t.co/DZnzNOSMA8

— SAKⓂ️🔟 (@m10_offset) September 30, 2024

Mikel Merino is back in training🔥🔥, it gonna be scary but not for us.

— Derrick (@derrickoti24) September 30, 2024

Mikel Merino back in training🤩🥳 pic.twitter.com/UvMxcndxzv

— Abdul Wahab (@AbdulWa35333056) September 30, 2024

Merino is back
Calafiori is playing for my club
Timber is my rb
Nelli is cooking
Saka is in his best formpic.twitter.com/occw2R7zIm

— YARED🇮🇹 (@Afcyared) September 30, 2024

Merino back😭❤️pic.twitter.com/6VMIGyjM2r

— TH14™️⚡️ (@Thomasconlin17) September 30, 2024

I’m really happy to hear that Mikel Merino is doing the first team training… pic.twitter.com/2Xh87RtAW8

— AFC Strongtower (@Strongtower_001) September 30, 2024

Ben White did not train and looks likely to miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening.

The Englishman has been nursing a groin injury and has missed the club’s last two matches against Bolton and Leicester in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively.

Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle problem – which he suffered while playing for Norway during the international break – and is not expected to return to the fold until late October.

At his pre-match press conference this morning, Arteta appeared to confirm that neither Merino or Tomiyasu would return in time for the Gunners’ encounter with PSG.

‘No big news. We have a training session this afternoon,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters.

‘We have to review a few players. Overall in terms of returning players nothing to give back.’

Arteta revealed that summer addition Calafiori was ‘a bit emotional’ after he suffered an injury scare in the side’s win over Leicester.

‘Obviously he was a bit emotional after the game and let’s see how he is today,’ the Spaniard added.

Asked what has impressed him about Calafiori, Arteta replied: ‘How willing he is.

‘The moment I spoke to him, he made it clear he wanted to come here. He felt he was going to be a perfect fit here and he was.

‘He always has a smile on his face, he is likable. Plus he is a fighter who will do everything he can for the team. He has all those qualities.’