Mikel Merino Injury Risks Return This Season As World Cup Hopes Hang In Balance

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal may finish the campaign without Mikel Merino after a serious foot problem, placing the midfielder’s World Cup prospects with Spain in doubt. Arteta remains optimistic but accepts there is no clear timeline, with Merino needing surgery and Arsenal preparing for a demanding run across four competitions.

Merino was hurt late in Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United on January 26, suffering damage to the right foot. Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that an operation is required. The nature of the issue means the club’s medical staff cannot yet predict when Merino might resume full training or competitive action.

Arteta was asked whether Merino could feature again before the season ends. Arteta replied: "We hope so. I don't

know, he needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive. He's a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that's a big blow. For the team it's a blow, obviously, because he's a big player for us, a very important player for us and we're not going to have him until probably the end of the season. "

The absence comes as Arsenal chase success on several fronts. Arsenal hold a six-point lead in the Premier League title race and have a 3-2 advantage over Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final. Arsenal are also among the favourites in both the Champions League and the FA Cup, adding pressure on squad depth.

Merino has been central to that push, offering range in midfield and covering different roles when required. Arteta highlighted that flexibility as a key loss for the group. Without Merino, Arsenal must adjust balance in midfield, with minutes likely to increase for other central options as fixtures accumulate.

Across all competitions this season, Merino has played 33 matches for Arsenal and scored six goals. No other Arsenal midfielder has matched that scoring return. Those numbers underline Merino’s influence in advanced areas, with late runs into the box and work off the ball helping Arsenal maintain intensity in domestic and European games.

The concern extends beyond Arsenal. Merino has become a regular figure for Spain, winning 41 senior caps and scoring 10 goals. One of those goals came in extra time against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, a decisive moment that strengthened Merino’s status within the national team set-up.

Arteta was also asked about Merino’s chances of playing at the World Cup, which begins on June 11. Arteta said: "Let's see. It's a very rare injury so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery, how that reacts daily, obviously monitor it throughout the week for the surgery and see. I know Mikel is going to do absolutely everything that he possibly can to come back as quick as possible. But you also have to respect the healing process, and also there's the fact that it's an injury that is quite rare. "

Medical update: Mikel MerinoArsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2026

With surgery still pending, Arsenal and Spain will continue to monitor Merino’s progress while planning for alternative options. The club’s schedule, Merino’s consistent performances and the rarity of the injury mean there is caution around forecasts, leaving both Arsenal’s season plans and Spain’s World Cup selection under a degree of uncertainty.