ARSENAL signing Mikel Merino suffered a freak injury in his first training session.
The Spaniard, 28, is facing a few weeks on the sidelines with a fractured shoulder after a collision with team-mate Gabriel.
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Mikel Arteta confirmed: “It is unfortunate. Yesterday he had a collision and he got a shoulder injury.
“It looks as though he could be out for a few weeks. It was his first session.
“We were all very excited and everything was looking good but he landed on the floor and has a small fracture.
“He was in so much pain and we have to wait and see and do more tests.
“This is football. We have tried to do all the things we wanted.”
Merino joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad in a £32.6million deal to provide more options in midfield.
Arteta was keen to bolster his engine room and sees the Euros-winning Spain international as a perfect fit.
The signing will be Arsenal’s third of the summer, taking their total tally to just over £100m after also spending £27m on David Raya and £42m on Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta also paid tribute to Aaron Ramsdale ahead of a £25m move to Southampton.
He said: “I want to say thank you for what he has done for the club, his team and myself.
“He brought a lot of joy, his charisma and energy. But things developed and it became difficult for him.
“He has joined a great club and a great coach.”
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