Arsenal handed Champions League fitness boost as Mikel Merino trains before PSG clash

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Evening Standard

·30 settembre 2024

Arsenal handed Champions League fitness boost as Mikel Merino trains before PSG clash

Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu also involved

The defender has missed Arsenal’s last two games, against Bolton and Leicester, due to a groin issue.

White now looks like he will miss the Gunners’ showdown with PSG at Emirates Stadium as well after he did not take part in training on Monday afternoon.

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Arsenal have received good news, though, after Riccardo Calafiori was present for training following an injury scare against Leicester. Takehiro Tomiyasu was also involved.

Calafiori appeared to injure his hamstring late on in the 4-2 win, sparking fears he could be set for a spell on the sidelines.

The Italian trained on Monday, however, and he will now hope to keep his place for the game with PSG.

Summer signing Mikel Merino also trained. Mikel Arteta revealed last week that the midfielder is progressing well and he could make his debut against Southampton on Saturday.

“We are trying to keep him in the cage, because he’s been pushing everyone - the physios, the doctors, everybody - and he’s ready to go, and he really wants it,” he said. “I think we are comfortable now to start exposing him with contact, and he looked really good in training.”

Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko remain out. Odegaard injured his ankle playing for Norway last month, while Zinchenko hurt his calf while away with Ukraine.