UMVA has learned that Arsenal has received a significant boost ahead of their crucial Premier League match against Crystal Palace and the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with midfielder Mikel Merino returning to full training.
The news comes at a perfect time for the Gunners, who have just secured their first Premier League title in 22 years following Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. The team will lift the trophy after Sunday's trip to Selhurst Park, and the mood around the club is exceptionally high.
Merino's return is a major moment for Arsenal, as he has been missing since late January after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his right foot. The midfielder has been out for around four months, but his comeback provides a significant boost to the team.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Merino is now back with the main group at Arsenal's training centre and could even be involved against Crystal Palace this weekend. His availability gives manager Mikel Arteta another experienced option in midfield, bringing control, physical presence, and intelligence.
The league title is already secured, so Sunday's match against Palace is not about pressure or points anymore; it's about rhythm, celebration, and avoiding unnecessary injuries before the biggest European game in the club's modern history. Merino may not be thrown straight into a major role, but even a 20-minute cameo from a player like that could be valuable in the Champions League final.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Arsenal are carefully managing their players ahead of the Champions League final. Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and David Raya were not part of the main training group, instead working separately, but the club has played down concerns that those players trained individually in the gym.
This approach makes complete sense, as Arsenal have already done the hard work in the Premier League. Arteta does not need to take risks with his most important players now, and managing their workload is just common sense. The only notable absentee was Max Dowman, who is in the middle of his GCSE exam week.
