Mikel Merino targets first Arsenal start as Mikel Arteta prepares to unleash ‘big threat’ for crunch run

Given Arsenal luck with injuries this season, Mikel Arteta could have forgiven for wanting none of his players to go on international duty this month.

Arsenal lost Martin Odegaard to an ankle injury playing for Norway last month. While last week both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picked up muscle issues while away with their countries.

When it comes to Mikel Merino, though, Arteta will have glad to see the midfielder head off with Spain for the past fortnight.

Merino has endure a difficult time since joining Arsenal from Real Sociedad in August in a deal worth over £30million.

He injure his shoulder in his ufabet https://ufabet999.app very first training session. Which meant he could not make his debut until the start of this month. Merino came off the bench for Arsenal twice in the week before this international break and two games with Spain allowed him the chance to get more minutes.

He play 28 minutes off the bench in their 1-0 win over Denmark last Saturday, before starting and completing just over an hour in a 3-0 victory over Serbia on Tuesday.

After making a first start for Spain this season, Merino will be eyeing a full debut for Arsenal this weekend when they head to Bournemouth.

Gunners fans have seen glimpses of what the 28-year-old can offer in his brief cameos so far and Arteta is excited about what is to come.