At a Glance:
- Mikel Merino has returned to Arsenal training following a serious foot injury.
- Ousmane Dembele has provided an update on his fitness ahead of the Champions League final.
- Arsenal are ready to rival PSG for the signing of Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday night, and Mikel Arteta’s side are now looking ahead to the Champions League final in ten days.
The Gunners ended their 22-year wait for a title when Bournemouth held Manchester City to a draw at the Vitality Stadium. Arteta’s men are now on the precipice of a historic double, with excitement growing ahead of the European showdown in Budapest.
Alongside these preparations, plans for next season are starting to be put into place by Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. With that said, here is the latest Arsenal news today, including updates on Mikel Merino, Ousmane Dembele and Julian Alvarez.
We did it, together. pic.twitter.com/wQDp02LvLd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
Mikel Merino returns to Arsenal training
Arsenal’s squad is almost entirely healthy heading into the last ten days of the season, barring a few key absences. Jurrien Timber has returned to the grass, although the Dutchman is still said only to have a slim chance of featuring in the Champions League final.
However, Mikel Merino may have a significantly greater chance of making the squad that travels to Budapest. The Spaniard returned to Arsenal training on Thursday morning for the first time in several months.
Mikel Merino doing some work with Arteta and the coaches after the rest of the squad has gone back inside. pic.twitter.com/XcinaHE2LQ
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) May 21, 2026
He hasn’t featured since January, when Arsenal lost at home to Manchester United, after sustaining a serious foot injury during that month. While he’s seemingly not partaking in full-contact training yet, he is back moving on grass, and could certainly be in contention to feature in Budapest.
Ousmane Dembele injury update
Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury scare in Paris Saint-Germain’s final Ligue 1 game of the season last week, against Paris FC. The French forward was forced off after just 27 minutes, prompting concerns from PSG supporters that the Ballon d’Or winner would miss the Champions League final.
However, Luis Enrique revealed that the substitution was merely precautionary, and Dembele has seemingly confirmed this. Speaking to RMC Sport, the former Barcelona star claimed that he will be ready to play in Budapest.
“I’m doing very well,” he said.
“I had a slight scare against Paris FC, but I’m fine, and I’ll be ready for the final. Will I be 100% for the final? Yes, yes, I think so, yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it, I hope to be on the pitch on May 30th.”
Arsenal to rival PSG for Julian Alvarez
Arsenal are looking to make one major purchase this summer, with reports indicating that the Gunners could enact a deal that is in a similar region to the £100 million signing of Declan Rice. Many believe Julian Alvarez could be this big-name acquisition, and concrete reports now support this theory.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are ready to rival PSG for the signing of Alvarez. The French giants are serious about pursuing the Argentine, although the Gunners believe Berta’s connections with Atletico Madrid could steer the player in their direction.
Alvarez is open to leaving the Spanish capital this summer, but is believed to be intent on a switch to Barcelona, who aren’t likely to be able to complete a deal for the player due to the finances it would take.
