MIKEL MERINO will be out for TWO MONTHS because he broke his shoulder in his first training session for Arsenal.

Merino, who moved from Real Sociedad to Arsenal last week for £32.6 million, got hurt when he collided with Gabriel Magalhaes.

The 28-year-old won’t likely be able to play again until the middle of October.

Merino was in the stands on Saturday when Arsenal and Brighton tied 1-1.

The Spain player was seen with his arm in a sling because he had hurt it.

Mikel Arteta had said before that Merino would be out for “weeks” because of the injury, but it looks like it’s worse than that.

During his news conference last Friday, Arteta said, “It’s a shame.” He was in an accident yesterday and hurt his shoulder.

“It looks like he might be out for a few weeks.” It was his first meeting.

“Everyone was thrilled and things looked good, but he fell to the ground and broke his arm in a small way.”

“This is football.” Our goal was to do everything we set out to do.

Many people think that Merino might be able to play again after the October international break, which ends on October 15.

On October 20, Arsenal plays Bournemouth. The next week, after the international break, they play Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Since Declan Rice was banned for the North London derby, the Gunners have already been missing players in the middle of the pitch.

Before the tense Spurs game, Rice got a questionable red card against Brighton, so he will not be able to play.

Arsenal already had a hole in the middle of the pitch after Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Mohamed Elneny left in the summer.