The Arsenal midfielder is back on the training pitch, just in time for the Champions League final
Mikel Merino is hoping to put himself back into the plans of Mikel Arteta ahead of the Champions League final after returning to training on Thursday.
The Spanish midfielder has been out of action since undergoing surgery on his foot three months ago, but was able to join in with a first-team session at Sobha Realty Training Centre before Arteta faced the press ahead of this weekend’s trip to Selhurst Park.
Speaking to football.london at an extended media conference, which covered both the final Premier League game of the season and the forthcoming showpiece final in Budapest, Merino offered an update on his current condition and hopes for squad consideration.
He said: “There has been a lot of hard work with the physios and strength and conditioning guys. I’m fit enough to be with the team now. I’ve trained today, I’m going to be training with them for the rest of the week and now it’s up to the gaffer to decide if I’m in the team or not.”
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Merino has made 33 appearances for Arsenal this season but has not been involved since scoring in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25. When asked to describe the feeling of running through the tunnel on his return to training, the 29-year-old added: “You feel great. They are slapping you, but they are giving you all their love and passion. It’s great to be back with the team and one of the guys again.
“It’s hard when you’re outside [injured]. You don’t feel like part of the process, but finally you’re there with all of them and I can’t wait to keep training with them.”
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