Source: Team_Talk
Wenger has high hopes for Fran
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.Since then, Merida has gained experience at Real Sociedad before returning to the Gunners and making his Premier League debut.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 Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash against Liverpool.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.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."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."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."He just has football in his blood and these players always have a good chance to come through."Wenger added: "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."I believe it is better to give them the maximum chance with your club."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.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.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."He is very close to the first team and I believe he will really be a threat for the strikers."France winger Samir Nasri is set for his first appearance of the season having recovered from a fractured leg suffered during the Gunners' summer training camp in Austria."What is good for him is he is fresh, has prepared well and he can be an important asset in the coming weeks," said Wenger.Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is another looking to sharpen up his match fitness on Wednesday night, after coming back from knee surgery with the reserves last week. Arsenal v Liverpool. Click here to bet.