Mikel Merino’s St James’ Park return with Arsenal in November is now suddenly in doubt

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Former Newcastle United player Mikel Merino has suffered a setback immediately after his Premier League return.

While Newcastle United were struggling to make summer signings, Mikel Merino was heading back to England six years after his St James’ Park departure.

The Spain international has signed for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side paying an initial £27million for the midfielder.

He should prove to be a smart signing for the Gunners, having improved massively since his spell on Tyneside. Merino was young and inexperienced when Rafa Benitez brought him to Newcastle, and even then he showcased what a talented player he is.

Now he is even better, and Arsenal will hope that he can strengthen their title charge. Merino thinks his time at Newcastle will help him at Arsenal, but his debut is currently on hold.

Mikel Merino suffers shoulder injury

There is already an issue for Merino and Arsenal.

The 28-year-old is yet to make his first appearance, and it might be a while before the Arsenal faithful see their new signing in action.

According to the Daily Mail, Merino has fractured his shoulder during his first training session with his new club.

They report that he could now be out of action for two months, after colliding with teammate Gabriel Magalhaes.

Merino might not be fit to face Newcastle at St James’ Park

That is a huge blow for Arsenal, and it means that Merino’s St James’ Park return is suddenly in doubt.

Arsenal are set to travel to Tyneside to face Newcastle United on November 2nd, and it remains to be seen whether or not Merino will be fit in time for that fixture.

The Daily Mail state that Arsenal hope to have Merino back after the October international break at the earliest.

However, whether Merino is fit by then remains to be seen. That will depend on his recovery, but it could end up being a race against time for him to be ready to return to Newcastle United in the first weekend of November.

If Merino does miss that game, he will have to wait until May to take on his former employer. Newcastle United face Arsenal at the Emirates in the reverse fixture in the penultimate game of the season, at a time when Arteta will hope to still be in the hunt for the Premier League title.

As for Newcastle, no one knows where they will be in May. The club want to be back in Europe, but expectations may be lowered after Newcastle officials failed to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad during the summer transfer window.