Arsenal learn extent of Mikel Merino injury with midfielder set to miss seven games

Mikel Merino’s debut for Arsenal will be delayed (Getty)

New Arsenal signing Mikel Merino will be sidelined with a shoulder injury until mid-October, according to reports.

Arsenal completed the signing of Merino in a £31.6 million deal from Real Sociedad in the final week of the summer transfer window.

However, the Spain international was unable to make his debut in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday after he suffered a fractured shoulder during a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes in his first training session.

Merino attended Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium and was spotted in the stands with his right arm in a sling.

According to MailOnline, Arsenal are now anticipating Merino to be unavailable until after the next international break in the middle of October.

Mikel Merino was seen at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with his right arm in a sling (TNT Sport)

That would mean Merino’s potential debut for Arsenal could come in the Premier League clash with Bournemouth on October 20, or their Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22.

As it stands, Merino will miss seven more games for Arsenal, including the north London derby against Tottenham on September 15, the Premier League clash away to Manchester City on September 22 and the Champions League tie at home to Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.

Speaking about Merino’s injury last week, Mikel Arteta said: ‘It’s very unfortunate.

‘Yesterday (Thursday) he had a collision and he’s got a shoulder injury and it looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks.

‘It was in his first session with us. It’s really bad luck, we were all excited, everything was looking good.

‘He landed on the floor, Gabriel fell on top of him and it looks like he has a small fracture.

‘He was in so much pain, we have to see. He’ll do more tests which will have more conclusive answers.’

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