Source: SKY_Sports
Merida plans Gunners talks
Fran Merida has exclusively revealed to skysports.com that he will soon be holding talks regarding his future at Arsenal and that he is determined to enjoy a more elevated status in Arsene Wenger's first team.
The Catalan midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer of 2006, featured in both games of the Gunners' successful Emirates Cup campaign and grabbed an assist when releasing
Eduardo with a fine pass in Sunday's 3-0 win over Rangers.
Merida has largely been restricted to Carling Cup outings in his Arsenal career to date and spent a spell on loan with Real Sociedad in 2008, making 14 appearances in the Segunda Division.
The 19-year-old is unsure as to whether he will be heading out on loan once more but appears content to build on his encouraging performances at the weekend and push for recognition under Wenger in North London.
"I don't know anything about my future right now," Merida told skysports.com.
"I am just training with the first team and I had the chance to play the Emirates Cup. In the next days we will see what is going on.
"It is fantastic, I have just got back to London last Friday and I did not expect it at all. It is good news and I really enjoyed it."
Merida followed in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas when swapping Barcelona for London as a talented 16-year-old but his own progression through the Arsenal ranks has been more leisurely than his illustrious contemporary's.
The attacking midfielder appeared twice as a substitute in the second half of the last Premier League season though, enjoying outings against West Brom and Portsmouth, and hopes to further impress Wenger in the coming campaign.
"I think a success would be to push up in the first team, get some more chances and progress," Merida added. "That is all I can do and I will try my best.
"All the time I have been here I have really enjoyed it because of the kind of football we play and the dressing room, the people around, everyone is nice, so all the time I have been here I have enjoyed it."
