Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has high hopes for Frantastic Merida
Young Gunner: Merida[LNB]Arsene Wenger hopes he will be proved right to have kept Spanish teenager Fran Merida at Arsenal this season. [LNB]The 19-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners from Barcelona's academy in September 2005 - a move which proved somewhat controversial and resulted in legal action taken against the player for compensation. [LNB]Since then, Merida has gained experience at Real Sociedad before returning to the Gunners and making his Barclays Premier League debut. [LNB]After impressing in the pre-season Emirates Cup and coming off the bench in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth, Merida hopes this can be his breakthrough campaign and is set to feature in the Carling Cup clash against Liverpool. [LNB]Wenger, though, was close to allowing the promising youngster to have another loan spell away at Levante, only to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute. [LNB]The Gunners boss believes his faith in Merida - now back at the club after helping Spain reach the knockout stages of the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt - will prove justified. [LNB] 'Fran had a good pre-season and after the pre-season he was away a lot with Spain. Now he is back, so I hope he can show how good he is,' Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. [LNB]'I nearly gave him out on loan, but on the day I had to make the decision, I decided to keep him. It would have been good for him, but I felt that he has too much quality to go out. [LNB]'He just has football in his blood and these players always have a good chance to come through.[LNB]'We educate the players and then they play for somebody else and that I find a little bit too generous, especially when you have worked with them for years. [LNB]'I believe it is better to give them the maximum chance with your club.'[LNB] Potential: Watt (right) is tipped to have a bright future in the game[LNB]Young forward Sanchez Watt will be hoping to get another chance to impress, having scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win over West Brom in the last round. [LNB]The 18-year-old was part of Arsenal's FA Youth Cup winning side last season, and has enjoyed his step up to the first-team squad, being on the bench for the Champions League opener at Standard Liege. [LNB]Wenger said: 'I like Sanchez Watt because he is a little bit of a street player. He has fantastic runs, and is a committed striker. He always finds resources to be dangerous and works hard for the team. That is why I always include him with the group. [LNB]'He is very close to the first team and I believe he will really be a threat for the strikers.'[LNB] 'Ramsey is ready': Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sends out warning to Fabregas and co Arsenal on takeover alert after Kroenke increases stake with £85k shares purchaseTHE LIST: Top 50 football kits of all time - Nos 30-21Sol gone quiet over there! Notts County hit Campbell with gagging orderMascherano urges Reds to carry United momentum into Arsenal cup tieAt last! Here's playboy Alberto Aquilani - just what Liverpool and Rafa Benitez have been waiting for since Xabi Alonso leftARSENAL FC
