Arteta confirms Mikel Merino sidelined for weeks with injury

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that new signing Mikel Merino will be sidelined for several weeks due to a suspected shoulder fracture.

The Spanish midfielder, who joined from Real Sociedad in a deal worth up to £32.6m, suffered the injury during his first training session with the team after a collision with defender Gabriel Magalhães.

Arteta expressed disappointment, stating that Merino was “really excited” to join the team and was looking forward to contributing.

The manager also provided updates on other players, including Gabriel Jesus, who remains out with a groin injury, and Aaron Ramsdale, who has joined Southampton, with Neto set to replace him on loan from Bournemouth.