Mikel Merino has been pushing Arsenal staff to let him out ‘the cage’ as he has a chance of returning next week from his fractured shoulder in a major boost for the club.
The midfielder has been made to wait for his Gunners debut since signing from Real Sociedad after suffering a freak injury in his first training session, Gabriel having landed on him.
But according to Mikel Arteta, Merino could be back ahead of schedule for Arsenal’s match against Southampton next weekend.
Prior to the Gunners’ match against Leicester on Saturday, Arteta said: ‘Tomorrow is too soon.