Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has allayed any injury concerns surrounding versatile midfielder, Mikel Merino, ahead of the upcoming Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.
Merino was seen requiring on-pitch treatment during the first half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Everton. He finished the game with a bandage around his head following a clash in the first half. The Spanish player was also spotted pulling up during warm-up at Goodison Park and appeared to be clutching his groin muscle.
Merino has emerged as a key player for Arsenal recently and has been filling in as a striker due to injuries sustained by Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Despite being deployed in midfield at Everton, he managed to score six goals in his last 11 games. Arteta confirmed that despite these recent concerns, Merino will be fit to face Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, saidL
“(Merino) is fine, I just checked with the doctor. He had a cut, so he was bleeding quite a lot in the first half, then he started again, so overall he wasn’t feeling anything.”
Major test for Gunners
The Gunners are set to host reigning European champions Real Madrid at Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final match. This is expected to be an intense encounter given both teams' current form and stakes involved. Arteta further confirmed after the draw at Everton that there were no fresh injury concerns within his squad which is good news for Arsenal fans worldwide.
In another positive development for Arsenal, winger Bukayo Saka got more minutes under his belt after making a comeback from an injury layoff. Saka had torn his hamstring back in December which required surgery but made an impressive return by scoring the winner against Fulham on Tuesday night. Saka came on as a substitute during half time against Everton on Saturday. Arteta believes that this will stand him in good stead ahead of the clash with Real Madrid.
Despite some injury concerns, Arsenal seems to be in a strong position ahead of their Champions League quarter-final match against Real Madrid. With key players like Merino and Saka fit and ready for action, fans can look forward to an exciting encounter at Emirates Stadium.
