Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a surprisingly optimistic fitness update on Mikel Merino, suggesting the midfielder could still feature before the campaign concludes. Despite undergoing surgery on a broken foot, the Spanish international is being backed to make a rapid recovery and play a part in the Gunners' season run-in.

Mikel Arteta has sent a clear message to Arsenal youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, warning that he will be ruthless regarding their futures at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the prestige of the Hale End academy, the Gunners boss insists that excellence is the only currency that matters as the club looks to balance the books this summer.

Against the odds, the Gunners star is back sooner than expected as the crucial run-in approaches.

Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer believes Mikel Arteta missed a trick by signing Viktor Gyokeres over Patrik Schick. The Czech legend claims the Bayer Leverkusen star's superior finishing would have already secured the Premier League trophy for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta has hailed the impact of his Arsenal substitutes after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli combined to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory over Sporting CP. The Gunners looked set for a frustrating night in Lisbon before the duo entered the fray to hand the Premier League side a vital edge in their Champions League quarter-final tie.