Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has successfully undergone surgery on a significant foot injury, initiating a challenging recovery process that places his involvement in the remainder of the club’s season in serious doubt.
The 29-year-old Spain international sustained a “very rare” bone injury in his right foot during the closing stages of Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25.
Following specialist reviews, the procedure was completed on Monday, as confirmed by the player in a social media update from his hospital bed.
This development represents a substantial setback for the Premier League leaders, who face a demanding title run-in and cup competitions without a uniquely versatile player.
The club’s official statement indicated Merino is “expected to be out of action for an extended period,” with the target of returning to full training before the season concludes.
Manager Mikel Arteta provided a more specific and sobering timeline, revealing the injury will sideline the midfielder for approximately four months, describing it as a “big blow”. “Mikel offers something unique in the team,” Arteta stated. “He’s a big player for us. An athlete that has such a versatility and capacity to compete in various positions”.
He further characterized the injury as “very rare,” adding that the medical team must monitor the daily reaction post-surgery.
The player himself struck a determined tone following the operation, posting, “Surgery done! Already closer to being back… Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge”.
Merino’s rehabilitation will be a meticulous process. Reports indicate he will be unable to put significant weight on the foot for approximately eight weeks, limiting him to gym-based work initially.
The club’s hopeful schedule aims for a return to running by late April, with a potential return to the squad in May. This timeline presents a race against time, as May is poised to be a decisive month for Arsenal, who remain in contention for the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, and the FA Cup.
The injury guarantees he will miss the Carabao Cup final in March and casts significant doubt on his availability for the season’s climax.
Beyond the immediate club concerns, the injury also impacts Merino’s international ambitions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11.
A key member of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, Merino is determined to prove his fitness in time for the global tournament. His father, who clarified the injury as a stress fracture, noted, “It is very rare. There is a bit of uncertainty about the timing, because there is no clear history of this type of injury”.
The overriding objective for both player and club is now a careful rehabilitation, with the World Cup serving as a clear target for a full return.
In Merino’s absence, Arteta must reconfigure a squad already contending with several injuries. The Spaniard had made 33 appearances this season, contributing six goals and three assists, and had evolved into a flexible tactical option, even featuring in advanced roles.
His physical presence and technical quality offered a distinct profile in midfield. The club explored the loan market for short-term cover before the transfer window closed but did not secure a signing, leaving internal solutions as the primary option.