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Mikel Merino has posted an update after undergoing surgery on a broken foot. The Arsenal midfielder suffered the injury in the 3-2 defeat against Manchester United last month.

Mikel Arteta confirmed that Merino would be unavailable for an extended period. The Arsenal head coach described Merino's problem as a "very rare injury" – one that is set to keep him out for four months.

It then emerged that Merino was due to have surgery on Monday, and after going under the knife, the Spain international provided an update from his hospital bed.

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Alongside a photo of him post-surgery, Merino said on Instagram: "Surgery done! Already closer to be back [flexed bicep emoji]. Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge. Vamos! [oncoming fist emoji]."

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Gunners team-mate Declan Rice was quick to send a message to Merino in the comments. Rice said: "With you brother [red love heart emoji]."

Gabriel Magalhaes and Eberechi Eze then both put a folded hands emoji and a red love heart emoji.

Former Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko also wished Merino well, saying: "Comeback stronger Maestro [red love heart emoji and raising hands emoji]."

Meanwhile, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Leandro Trossard, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard were among those to drop a like on Merino's post.

Speaking following Arsenal's 3-0 win against Sunderland on Saturday, Arteta said on Merino: "It's a big blow. Mikel offers something unique in the team but he’s going to be out for four months unfortunately with a very rare injury.

"So we need to support him, make sure that he's very connected with the team because he can still add a lot of value to the players and the staff and keep him around."

Merino, 29, is now expected to miss the majority of the season with the club hopeful for a May return date. The rehabilitation process is expected to prevent Merino from putting strenuous weight through the foot for around eight weeks, although this will not prevent him from doing gym work.

The Gunners want Merino to be running around the end of April before working his way back into the squad with a hope that he can return to action in May.

Merino has scored six goals and provided three assists in 33 appearances for Arsenal this season. It followed his nine goals and five assists in 44 matches in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium.