However, the Spain international was unable to make his debut in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday after he suffered a fractured shoulder during a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes in his first training session.
According to MailOnline, Arsenal are now anticipating Merino to be unavailable until after the next international break in the middle of October.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has suffered a fractured shoulder
Mikel Merino was seen at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with his right arm in a sling (TNT Sport)
That would mean Merino’s potential debut for Arsenal could come in the Premier League clash with Bournemouth on October 20, or their Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22.
As it stands, Merino will miss seven more games for Arsenal, including the north London derby against Tottenham on September 15, the Premier League clash away to Manchester City on September 22 and the Champions League tie at home to Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.
GAMES MIKEL MERINO IS SET TO MISS FOR ARSENAL
Tottenham (A) Premier League – Sep 15
Atalanta (A) Champions League – Sep 19
Man City (A) Premier League – Sep 22
Bolton (H) Carabao Cup – TBC
Leicester City (H) Premier League – Sep 28
Paris Saint-Germain (H) Champions League – Oct 1
Southampton (H) Premier League – Oct 5
Speaking about Merino’s injury last week, Mikel Arteta said: ‘It’s very unfortunate.
‘Yesterday (Thursday) he had a collision and he’s got a shoulder injury and it looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks.
‘It was in his first session with us. It’s really bad luck, we were all excited, everything was looking good.
‘He landed on the floor, Gabriel fell on top of him and it looks like he has a small fracture.
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