Mikel Merino not spotted with the Arsenal squad ahead of Crystal Palace game
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was not spotted with the Arsenal squad ahead of their Premier League game against Crystal Palace today, according to former Sky Sports producer Connor Humm.
The 28-year-old has likely been rested ahead of the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday, with nothing indicating he has picked up a knock.
Humm, an Arsenal insider who regularly breaks news on the Gunners and is followed on X by the likes of Dharmesh Sheth, Ryan Taylor and Fabrizio Romano shared the update this evening.
Arsenal will not be winning the Premier League title this term as leaders Liverpool need just three more points to wrap things up, but they will look to secure their current position and ensure they finish the campaign in second-place.
The North London club are concentrating on the Champions League after eliminating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, and it appears manager Mikel Arteta could be resting some of his top stars tonight, with Merino likely one of the beneficiaries.
The midfielder has established himself as a huge attacking threat for Arsenal since being deployed as a number 9 following the injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, and he has rewarded the trust in him with four assists and seven goals in the last 13 appearances.
Merino grabbed both assists as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners at Santiago Bernabeu a week ago today to hand Madrid an unforgettable defeat having scored a goal in the 3-0 win over the La Liga club in the first-leg at Emirates Stadium.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were seen with the squad this evening, and the absence of the makeshift number 9 could get some fans worried.
Arsenal losing tonight will see Liverpool emerge as winners, and the Gunners will be looking to prevent that as they could do with an emphatic victory ahead of the PSG clash.
