Merino Returns to Training as Arsenal Receive Injury Boost Ahead of Key Fixtures

Mikel Merino, 29, has been sidelined since February after surgery on a fractured foot.The midfielder returned to the pitch for Arsenal on Thursday, ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday, where the Gunners are set to lift their first Premier League title in 22 years.Merino trained separately from the rest of the squad, taking part in light drills under Mikel Arteta and assistant Albert Stuivenberg.

The Spaniard is expected to rejoin full team training on Friday, offering Arsenal a timely boost ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed:

“Mikel is going to start training with the group tomorrow. Today he has done a little bit, it was just a very light session.”

Before his injury, Merino had scored six goals and provided three assists.Arsenal, however, were still without several key players. Bukayo Saka, David Raya, and William Saliba missed training as they continued individual workload management programmes.

Jurrien Timber also remained out as he continues recovering from a groin injury sustained in mid-March.

There is optimism that Timber could return to training in the coming days, possibly making himself available for Arsenal’s European clash with PSG.

Arteta added: “Let’s hope that he can do the same in the coming days, but he is still a bit further behind Mikel Merino at the moment.”