Why Arsenal target Mikel Merino is not playing for Real Sociedad on Friday

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Merino is a name Arsenal fans have heard aplenty throughout the summer.

The Spain international is a primary target for Mikel Arteta as the 42-year-old aims to bring more control and poise to his midfield.

Arsenal fans began to speculate after Fabrizio Romano revealed that Merino will miss Real Sociedad’s friendly against Union Berlin on Friday – although the reason has now been revealed…

Why Mikel Merino will miss Real Sociedad vs Union Berlin

A story from El Diario Vasco now states that the Real Sociedad No.8 will miss Friday’s friendly clash due to fitness issues – rather than his absence having anything to do with Arsenal.

The Spanish news outlet believe Merino is currently struggling with workload issues, after a busy summer which saw him make seven appearances for Spain at UEFA Euro 2024.

El Diario Vasco add that the man from Pamplona has shown signs of weariness after four training sessions with Real Sociedad, so the Basque outfit have chosen to manage his workload and leave him out of the clash against Union Berlin.

It comes after Steve Kay claimed that Arsenal will sign Merino within a matter of days after personal terms were struck with the 28-year-old, and a fee of £25m was agreed with Real Sociedad.

Good news for Arsenal

Whether Merino really is close to joining Arsenal or not, this update should be considered good news regardless.

Had Real Sociedad taken the Spaniard to Berlin in his current state, it might have scuppered a move to the Emirates Stadium – were he to suffer an injury.

There is less than a month until transfer deadline day falls on Friday 30th August – so if Merino were to actually suffer a knock which sidelined him for a few months, Arsenal could turn to alternatives, which would be a setback for Arteta given how much groundwork Edu has seemingly put into this proposed deal.

READ MORE: Club now willing to sell player Arsenal have wanted for years for as low as £26m, he was £115m in 2020

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Real Sociedad could well be keeping Merino safe from injury for their own benefit, or else they risk losing out on a sum of £25m seeing as he only has 11 months left on his contract.