Mikel Merino is injured and is set to miss the next few weeks of action, according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
The Spain international recently touched down from Real Sociedad, becoming the Gunners’ second summer signing after defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal had been hoping to unleash Merino in their Premier League showdown with Brighton on Saturday (12.30pm).
However, Arteta has now confirmed the 28-year-old is injured and set to miss the next few weeks in a huge blow for his side.
Mikel Merino is injured and is set to miss the next few weeks of action, according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
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“Very unfortunate yesterday (Thursday) he had a collision and he has got a shoulder injury unfortunately,” said the 42-year-old, whose side have won their first two league matches.
“It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks.
“First session with us. It was looking exciting, we were all very excited, everything was looking very good… he landed on the floor and Gabi went on top of him.
“It looks like he has got a small fracture probably. We have to see (how long he will be out), he was in so much pain, we have to see wait to do some more tests.
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“Then we will have more conclusive answers. This is football.”
With today being transfer deadline day, Gunners fans are hopeful Arteta will be able to add more reinforcements to his squad.
Raheem Sterling has been linked, with the winger surplus to requirements at Chelsea after two difficult years.
But Arteta dodged a question on the England international, though did refuse to rule out more arrivals before the transfer deadline.
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“Let’s see, it’s always possible,” added the Spaniard.
“You know that I cannot talk about another player.”
One player who has left Arsenal on deadline day is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with the England international moving to Southampton for a fee of £25million.
Ramsdale had been the Gunners’ No 1 prior to last season but, after losing his place in Arteta’s starting XI to David Raya, has now departed for a new challenge.
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Mikel Merino will have to wait for his Arsenal debut after Mikel Arteta confirmed the midfielder had picked up an injury
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And Arteta has sent the shot-stopper a good luck message following his departure.
“Thank you so much for what he’s done for the club, for the team and for myself,” he added.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has wished Aaron Ramsdale well for the future after the goalkeeper left for Southampton on transfer deadline day
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“He brought a lot of joy and charisma and was really good when he joined.
“He had a situation that was really good for him. He insisted that he’s really joyful when he plays and we tried to arrange that.”