Arsenal are weighing up options in midfield after learning the extent of Mikel Merino’s injury, with the club now open to adding another player before the window closes.
Merino, who has only just arrived in north London, is set to spend time on the sidelines after picking up a problem that will delay his start to life under Mikel Arteta. While Arsenal have not framed it as a long-term setback, the injury is significant enough to shape the club’s short-term planning as the campaign gathers speed.
Arteta is already balancing a demanding fixture list and the need to keep his squad fresh across multiple competitions. With Merino not immediately available, Arsenal’s depth in central areas has come into sharper focus, particularly with the team relying heavily on a small core of midfielders last season.
The club are therefore exploring a potential deal for an additional midfielder, according to industry contacts, as they look to protect themselves against further absences. Any move is expected to be controlled rather than reactive, with Arsenal keen to avoid disrupting the squad balance or taking on a signing that does not fit their long-term recruitment plan.
Internally, there is still confidence Merino will play an important role once he returns, offering energy, progressiveness and extra options in the middle. But with early matches carrying weight in the title race and Champions League commitments also looming, the club do not want to be left short-handed during a critical stretch.
Arsenal have spent much of the summer strengthening key areas, and the focus now is on fine-tuning. If the right opportunity presents itself—whether through a permanent transfer or a short-term solution—the Gunners could still act to ensure Arteta has enough midfield coverage until Merino is back to full fitness.
