Mikel Merino, an Arsenal midfielder, will be out for around two months due to a fractured shoulder sustained during his first training session.

Mikel Arteta revealed on Friday that Merino would be sidelined due to a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes at the club’s London Colney headquarters.

And the Spain international is not scheduled to return until at least the middle of October, which comes as a significant blow to the Gunners.

Merino hopes to return after the October international break.

Arsenal will play Bournemouth on October 19 before visiting Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League the following midweek.

Mikel Merino was hurt in his first training session with Arsenal after signing last week.

 

Declan Rice’s red card will leave a vacuum in Arsenal’s midfield against rivals Tottenham.

The 28-year-old only joined the club last week, after leaving Real Sociedad for £31.6 million.

Merino’s lengthy absence creates an urgent issue for Arteta ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on September 15.

Declan Rice is suspended for the encounter against Ange Postcoglou’s side after receiving a dubious red card against Brighton on Saturday, leaving Arteta with a hole in his midfield.

Merino was a strong contender to play in Rice’s absence, but his injury forces Arteta to consider other possibilities.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have turned down a shocking £29.5 million bid from Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Ittihad for Leandro Trossard.

 

 

Arsenal have rejected a deal for Leandro Trossard (left), despite the signing of Raheem Sterling.

The transfer market in Saudi Arabia is still open, and Trossard has emerged as a target for the lucrative league.

However, Arteta turned down the surprising offer because he does not want to lose any more attacking players after signing Raheem Sterling on deadline day.