Mikel Merino announcement risks worst-case scenario for Arsenal so soon after injury boost

Mikel Merino has only made one appearance for Arsenal since joining the club from Real Sociedad in August

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has been named in Spain's squad for their upcoming Nations League games against Denmark and Serbia.

Despite joining the club in a £27m deal from Real Sociedad in August, the Euro 2024 winner had to wait until Tuesday's win over Paris Saint-Germain to debut for the club after colliding with Gabriel and suffering a shoulder injury during his first training session in North London.

However, Luis de la Fuente has named Merino in his squad for the upcoming international break ahead of Spain's double-header in the Nations League later this month.

Understandably, Arsenal fans will be nervous at the prospect of Merino linking up with his international team-mates so soon after returning from injury, with the Gunners facing Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea shortly after the return to club football.

But despite a frustrating start to his Emirates career, Merino recently admitted he has been impressed by Mikel Arteta's training methods.

“It’s something that is amazing” he said. “They do some things that I have never seen in my career. The methods they use are completely new to me so it takes some time to adapt. But at the same time, when you get it you are in a different level because they challenge you every single day – not only physically but mentally. It makes you be sharp mentally and that’s what you are going to find out in the game.

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“I don’t want to tell everything that we do but there is no rest between one moment and the other. They are always challenging you mentally with different stimuluses. It makes you all the time aware of what is happening around you.”

Merino could make his first Premier League appearance for the club on Saturday when Arsenal face Southampton.

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