Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Mikel Merino injury update ahead of Real Madrid test | OneFootball

The versatile midfielder required on-pitch treatment during the first half

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Mikel Arteta has cooled any injury fears around Mikel Merino ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.

The Spaniard was also spotted pulling up in the warm-up at Goodison Park and appearing to grab his groin muscle.

Merino has become a key player for Arsenal recently and has been playing as a striker in the absence of injured pair Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Merino, who played in midfield at Everton, has scored six goals in his last 11 games and Arteta has confirmed he will be fit to face Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Mikel Merino suffered a clash of heads

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The Gunners are hosting reigning European champions Real Madrid at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

“(Merino) is fine, I just checked with the doctor,” said Arteta. “He had a cut, so he was bleeding quite a lot in the first half, then he started again, so overall he wasn’t feeling anything.”

Arteta confirmed after the draw at Everton that the Gunners had no fresh injury concerns and there was good news as Bukayo Saka got more minutes under his belt.

The winger made his comeback on Tuesday night - scoring the winner against Fulham - after tearing his hamstring in December and undergoing surgery.

Saka come on at half time against Everton on Saturday and Arteta believes that will stand him in good stead ahead of the clash with Real Madrid.

“Well, he’s in a much better place,” said Arteta. “Obviously, we have built that up.

“He played 30 minutes [against Fulham], today he’s played 49, a little bit less because we whistled before we ended the game. And after that, he will be in a much better place.”