Mikel Merino’s father explains the rare stress fracture suffered by the Arsenal midfielder, with surgery confirmed and uncertainty over recovery timelines
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering what has been described as a “very rare” injury, with his father now shedding further light on the severity of the issue and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery.
Former footballer Miguel Merino, Mikel’s father, has spoken publicly about the injury sustained during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United, confirming that surgery is required and that there is no clear roadmap for his return.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had already confirmed that the Spain international suffered a “very rare” fracture to his right foot, placing the remainder of his season in serious doubt.
The club later released a statement confirming that Merino will undergo surgery and will be ruled out for an “extended period,” a blow to both Arsenal and Spain as the calendar intensifies.
Arsenal have suffered a serious setback after it was confirmed that Mikel Merino will require surgery.
Mikel Arteta is now searching frantically for a replacement on #deadlineday with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali the latest target mentioned. https://t.co/6fldZ6pSF1 #afc #nufc
— BBSportNews (@thebbsportnews) February 2, 2026
A rare stress fracture with no clear precedent
Speaking on Cadena SER radio, Miguel Merino explained that the injury is far from straightforward. “It’s a stress fracture, something more internal,” he revealed, underlining why predicting recovery time has proven difficult. The lack of comparable cases has added further uncertainty to the situation.
“There is a bit of uncertainty about the recovery time, because there is no clear history of this type of injury,” Merino’s father said on El Larguero.
He was keen to stress that the medical staff will dictate the process rather than external pressures. “Medical criteria will prevail over the demands of the football calendar,” he added.
Will Mikel Merino miss the 2026 World Cup?
The timing of the injury has inevitably raised concerns over Merino’s availability for Spain later this year, including the possibility of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While no firm conclusions have been drawn, his father suggested that Spain boss Luis de la Fuente is already closely monitoring the situation.
“Coach Luis de la Fuente is someone who takes care of every detail; he has surely spoken to Mikel and asked him how he is doing,” he explained.
For Merino, the frustration is unavoidable. “Injuries never come at a good time,” his father concluded, something that reflects the challenge now facing both player and club as Arsenal prepare for the business end of the season at home and in Europe without one of their key midfielders.