Arsenal star says injury could have ended his career

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·28 September 2026

Arsenal star says injury could have ended his career

Mikel Merino recovered from a serious injury to star for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, having suggested that the setback could have ended his career.

The midfielder is an important player for both club and country, but there was a chance he would miss the World Cup. He returned only a few weeks before the squad was named and did not play much for Arsenal during the final weeks of the campaign.

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Some fans were surprised that Merino made the Spain squad, but their manager remained committed to a player with whom he had enjoyed significant success. Merino’s inclusion ultimately proved important for Spain during the competition.

Merino Reflects on His Injury

Merino will now be looking to play an important role for Arsenal in the league this season, while also putting his injury problems from the previous campaign behind him.

Arsenal will not want to lose him to another injury because he is such a valuable player. His ability to operate in both attack and midfield gives the Gunners additional options in different areas of the pitch.

The midfielder’s recovery was particularly significant because of the uncertainty surrounding his return. Having been sidelined for a considerable period, he had to work his way back into contention before the World Cup.

His experience also appears to have changed his perspective beyond football. The uncertainty he faced during his recovery made him consider the possibility that he might not be able to return to the sport, giving him a different outlook on his career.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Merino Explains His Experience

Speaking about his ordeal, Merino reflected on the mental challenge of dealing with uncertainty and the possibility that his football career could be interrupted permanently.

Merino said via Sport Witness:

“There’s going to be a moment when you’ll have to fight against the uncertainty of not knowing if you’ll ever play football again.

“It taught me how to deal with frustration. That opened my eyes, made me accept that I’m not just a footballer and that there’s much more to life.”

Merino can now focus on continuing his career with Arsenal after overcoming the setback. His versatility remains an important asset, and the club will hope he can maintain his fitness throughout the season.

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