Arsenal get update on Mikel Merino injury after Carabao Cup final development

Mikel Merino has been sidelined since January, when he suffered a bone stress fracture in his foot which required surgery

Mikel Merino will reportedly be back from injury in time to feature for Spain at this summer's World Cup.

The versatile Arsenal midfielder has been sidelined since January when he fractured a bone in his foot during the 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United - a game in which he scored.

He then underwent successful surgery in February and shortly after the procedure, club team-mate and compatriot Martin Zubimendi said he didn't know if Merino would be back in time for the World Cup.

However, AS are now reporting that a source close to Merino has confirmed he'll be fine to feature for La Roja in North America.

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It begs the question whether Merino will be back in time to play a part in Arsenal's season, though at this stage, that's still unknown and they will not rush his return.

What's positive is that Merino was at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to watch Arsenal lose 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

He was also only on one crutch, which is seemingly progress from recent weeks when he's still been using two.

Merino was spotted walking on the pitch before the game, albeit with a protective boot, as he accompanied some of his team-mates.

Since then, a number of Arsenal players have also picked up injuries and withdrawn from their respective international squads.

Martin Odegaard is closing in on a return from a knee problem while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both resting their ankle and knee, respectively.

Eberechi Eze is battling a calf problem while Jurrien Timber remains absent with an ankle injury.

Leandro Trossard is also resting his hip after recently picking up an issue in the FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield a few weeks ago.

While Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are all competing for the centre-forward role, Arsenal have missed Merino and his ability to impact the game from multiple positions.

He can feature as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder or a false-nine, as he has done so on so many occasions for Arsenal.

Merino has played 1,877 minutes so far this season and mustered six goals and three assists in all competitions.