Arsenal confirm Mikel Merino’s surgery on foot injury 

Arsenal have confirmed Mikel Merino requires surgery on a foot injury which will rule him out for much of the season remainder.

Merino suffered a bone injury in his right foot during the 3-2 loss to Manchester United last week, and subsquently missed the wins over Kairat, in the Champions League, and Leeds, in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Elland Road on Saturday also revealed that Merino required specialist attention for the injury.

The club has now decided that Merino will have to go under the knife, which will rule the midfielder out for the foreeseeable.

Mikel Merino celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

A club statement read: “Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed Mikel Merino has a bone injury in his right foot.

“Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme.

“Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.

“Everyone is fully focused on supporting Mikel to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Arsenal are now expected to explore the transfer market for possible loan cover, the current Premier League leaders will be eager to get a deal over the line before Monday’s 7pm deadline.

The Gunners are also sweating over Bukayo Saka’s fitness. Saka pulled out of the game against Leeds during warm-up and was swiftly replaced by Noni Madueke.