Arsenal have received a major injury setback with new signing Mikel Merino ruled out for two months with a shoulder injury.
The Gunners completed their prolonged transfer push for the Spain international in the final days of the Premier League transfer window.
Mikel Arteta convinced his namesake to leave Real Sociedad, and return to English football last month, but his opening weeks at the Emirates Stadium have been a disaster.
MORE: All the latest Arsenal news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Arteta confirmed he would miss the weekend EPL draw 1-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion after an accidental training ground collision with defensive star Gabriel Magalhaes.
However. following further tests, the extent of the injury has been revealed with a lengthy absence incoming for the 28-year-old.
As per the latest update from the Daily Mail, Merino has fractured his shoulder, and will not return to action until late October at the earliest.
The current timeline places his comeback after the October international break, with Arsenal heading Bournemouth on October 20. followed by clashes with Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool.
A more realistic comeback date could be into November with Arsenal facing a packed schedule before the end of 2025.