Mikel Arteta gives Mikel Merino injury update ahead of Arsenal vs PSG

Mikel Arteta has shared an update on Mikel Merino’s fitness ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

While Liverpool have claimed the Premier League title, Arsenal are just three games away from UCL glory.

First up is the first-leg of their semi-final tie against PSG at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Arteta has had to deal with a number of big injury blows this season, especially up top with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the treatment room.

In their absence, midfielder Merino has been deployed as a makeshift striker, something that worked to great effect in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid, with the Spaniard scoring in the 3-0 home win.

The 28-year-old may return to midfield for the PSG game however given Thomas Partey’s suspension and the form of Leandro Trossard who has four goals in as many Premier League games.

Either way, there was concern among fans when Merino missed Arsenal’s last game – a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace – with Arteta revealing that he and Ben White had picked up injuries.

There was relief when Merino was pictured on training on Monday, but Arteta says he is still not sure whether he will be able to feature against the Ligue 1 champions from the start.

‘We lost Thomas unfortunately very late in the game against Real Madrid,’ the manager said in his pre-match press conference.

‘Ben and Mikel were able to train. Let’s see if they are able to start tomorrow.

‘Ricci [Riccardo Calafiori] is still not fit.’

Arsenal have never won the Champions League and have only reached the final once before in 2006 and Arteta is relish the chance to make history.

‘With the circumstances this season and how we have overcome a lot of issues and challenges as one of the best four teams in Europe. It’s a beautiful story right now but we want more.’

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