Barcelona's Arthur Melo Ruled Out of Real Sociedad Clash With Fresh Injury
By Tom Gott
Barcelona have confirmed that midfielder Arthur Melo will miss Saturday's meeting with Real Sociedad after picking up an ankle injury.
The Brazilian managed 80 minutes of the recent defeat to Real Madrid and did not appear to be injured when he left the field, suggesting that he may have picked up the issue in training during the week.
Regardless of when he suffered the injury, the club have confirmed on their official website that Arthur has not made the matchday squad and will instead remain with club doctors as be begins his recuperation.
There is no more information given about the issue, other than the fact that his recovery speed will dictate his return date. Obviously.
Manager Quique Setién also spoke about Arthur during his pre-match press conference (via Marca), adding: "In principle he has a pain, some discomfort. He has started treatment and you have to be aware of how it evolves. I cannot say more."
Arthur has been troubled by various injuries all season, managing just 12 starts in La Liga. He did look to have commanded a regular place in Setién's lineup, but is now set for another spell on the sidelines.
It's not all bad though. While it's obviously disappointing to hear that Arthur is injured again, it has opened the door to 20-year-old Riqui Puig, who has finally been included in a matchday squad again! Miracles do happen!
Puig was seemingly completely forgotten about during Ernesto Valverde's time at the club, so Setién's decision to welcome him back to the first-team fold during the first few weeks of his reign was met with real excitement.
However, as we so often see with Barcelona, good things don't last longer than ten minutes these days. Puig was quickly sent back to the reserves and has not been seen since staying glued to the bench against Real Betis in early February.
The stars have aligned. Puig is back. There is hope for the future.