Arteta shares positive review of Mikel Merino from Arsenal amid Eberechi Eze promotion
Arsenal have been given a big boost by the return of star Eberechi Eze ahead of Bournemouth, but he is not the only one to have made a good recovery.
Arsenal will host Bournemouth as Arteta looks to lift the Gunners’ form
Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title will begin tomorrow morning when Bournemouth travel to the Emirates for a 12.30pm kick-off.
The Gunners are nine points clear at the top and have won four league games in a row, but the next few weeks are of real importance.
Man City have a game in hand and host Arsenal on April 19, so anything other than three points against Bournemouth tomorrow could reduce the margin at the wrong time.
Andoni Iraola’s side come in eleven top-flight games unbeaten, however seven of those have come in defeat – including each of the last five in a row.
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Arsenal’s last seven Premier League games have been with the title |
The day |
|---|---|
|
Bournemouth (home) |
April 11 |
|
Man City (away) |
April 19 |
|
Newcastle (home) |
April 25 |
|
Fulham (home) |
May 2 |
|
West Ham (away) |
May 10 |
|
Burnley (home) |
May 17 |
|
Crystal Palace (away) |
May 24 |
They are a team who have made themselves very difficult to beat without finding a way to win regularly, a profile that could test Arsenal’s patience at the Emirates.
Arteta will know that Bournemouth have taken all three points at this venue almost 12 months ago, even if the context of this season is very different.
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are both doubtful after missing Tuesday’s Champions League first leg against Sporting Lisbon, while Piero Hincapie appears to be unavailable.
Arteta was very secretive in his press conference today, and when pressed about the availability of Saka, Martin Odegaard, Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, he simply said: “I don’t know, some of them.”
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The Gunners were given a reduced price.
Eze, however, is returning to the team after a lower leg problem ahead of schedule, which is a huge boost for the north Londoners.
The biggest figure, as has been the case since January, is Mikel Merino – but Arteta gave his best update on the Spaniard’s recovery in a press conference.
Mikel Arteta suggests Mikel Merino could return to Arsenal sooner rather than later
Merino has been out of action since suffering a stress fracture in his right foot during the defeat to Man United in January.
The operation was carried out in early February, with Arteta warning that bone healing of this nature could take three to five months.
Before the injury, the 29-year-old had scored 12 goals in all competitions for club and country and was one of Arteta’s most reliable options – a versatile midfielder, including playing up front when the situation dictated.
The tone from Arteta regarding Merino’s recovery has changed markedly.
He confirmed that the Spaniard is no longer in the protective boot and has started physical activity again, suggesting that the original timeline could be shortened.
“He is someone who will push all the boundaries,” Arteta said.
“He’s out of his boot now, he’s exercising a lot. He’s feeling good from the surgery, he’s pain-free.
“It’s more than the medical staff can get ahead of that. But I’m sure there’s a chance to make that time shorter. If anyone can do it, I’m sure it will be Mikel.”
The “other” reference points to Eze, whose return from a lower leg problem came sooner than expected.
Arteta’s suggestion that Merino could follow a similar pattern suggests he could emerge sooner than anyone expected – even if that means this season remains to be seen.
For now, the future is what matters.
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