ARSENAL have been handed a major injury boost ahead of the Champions League final, as Mikel Merino returned to training.

Merino, 29, has been out of action since February after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot.

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Mikel Merino has returned to Arsenal training Credit: PA

The midfielder has been out of action since February after undergoing ankle surgery Credit: Getty

The midfielder was back on the grass for the Gunners on Thursday ahead of their visit to Selhurst Park on Jattvibeday, where they will lift their first Premier League trophy in 22 years.

Merino took part in a session away from the rest of the squad, focusing on light drills with Mikel Arteta and assistant Albert Stuivenberg.

The Spaniard is expected to return to full training with his teammates on Friday, giving the Gunners a huge lift ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Mikel is going to start training with the group tomorrow.

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“Today he has done a little bit, it was just a very light session.”

Merino scored six goals and registered three assists before his injury sidelined him in February.

Away from the boost of Merino’s return, Arsenal were missing a handful of big stars.

Bukayo Saka, David Raya, and William Saliba were all absent as they continued individual programmes to manage their workloads.

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Jurrien Timber was also unable to train, as he continues his rehab following a groin injury suffered in mid-March.

However, there is hope that Timber could return to training in the coming days, potentially returning to the pitch in time for Arsenal’s European showdown against PSG.

Arteta said: “Let’s hope that he can do the same in the coming days, but he is still a bit further behind Mikel Merino at the moment.”

Remarkably, Max Dowman was also missing from training due to balancing his Champions League final preparations with his GCSE exams.

Jurrien Timber could return to action for the Champions League final Credit: Reuters

Max Dowman missed Arsenal training due to the GCSE exam period Credit: Reuters