The Arsenal midfielder's season is at risk due to foot surgery.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The state of the injury is something unknown in football, leaving both Arsenal and Spain with little to reference in terms of a recovery period.
De la Fuente said, "Merino has an injury on which there are no references.
"We are optimistic, and so is he. But we don't know.
"The doctors don't know how long it will take either. Whether he's back in March, April or May."