Fran Mérida – Real Sociedad 3-1 Granada 74
Fran hosted Real Sociedad’s press conference yesterday afternoon, and he offered a rallying cry to his team mates and demanded the team claim three wins for the final three fixtures, and gain promotion back to La Liga.
Whilst Mérida will miss next weeks game, as he is away with the Spanish Under 19 team he confirmed the side have the quality to go on and get the final reward for all there hard work. But you can only win your next game which came at home to relegation threatened Granada 74.
Mérida continued his starting birth from the centre of the park, establishing himself as the teams pass master. The first half was an even yet tight encounter with both sides creating half chances, but nothing clear cut.
The second half continued in the same vein and it seemed Fran’s ambition for three wins from the final three fixtures was slipping away.
However subsitute Victor Casadesús cropped up on 75 minutes to put the Basque outfit into the lead, and with news coming through that Pedro Botelho’s loan side Salamanca were holding 2nd place Sporting de Gijón, the win would push them closer to promotion. On 83 minutes things got even better as Martí fired home to double the lead and guarantee the win.
Fran Merida Played 85 Minutes
Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca 0-0 Sporting de Gijón
Having shaken off a flu and a foot injury, Pedro Botelho returned for Salamanca last weekend for there clash against top of the table Numancia. Featuring in the final 12 minutes from the bench, Pedro again started on the touchlines as they hosted 2nd place Sporting de Gijón.
With time ticking down, Pedro was introduced with just over two minutes left on the clock. It finished 0-0 a note able draw for Salamanca, taking a point from the 2nd place club.
Pedro Botelho Played 2 Minutes
Article By – J.Sanderson
Was wondering, do lots of people know about Fran and his potentail in Spain and see him as a big player in the future for them like Bojan? Or because he left at a early age, his progress hasnt been higlighted
In Span Merida is a big prospect, like English players are here. They see him and Bojan are the future, with good reason.
I think many spanish people were excited when they found out he was going back,
what are the chances of landing the young real madrid guy do you think?
I am wondering if Merida ia midfielder or a striker …or can he play as both ???
Not sure beret, we will have to wait and see.
He is a central midfielder, can play behind a forward in the number 10 role.
Pajanic has snubbed us then for Lyon, is this to replace Ben Arfa who should be heading our way if the rumours/speculation are true??
Merida is basically Cesc with a little more on the attcking front but less on the defensive side.
He is an amazing player, a real talent.
In Spain they see him as the equivalent to Walcott in the UK. I have lived in Spain for the last 2 yrs and have watched him play a few times this last year.
I am a BIG BIG arsenal fan so i would love to see him play alongised Cesc at some point. They could form the most powerful attacking midfield partnership at Arsenal.. EVER!
I really beleive this guy is going places. He will one day be one of the best in the world if he continues to develop. I know thats a huge statement… but I really do beleive it.
Pjanic was only ever linked to us by the media, so who knows whether we were really ever interested.
watching lyon at the moment, havent seen benny arfa playing, nor mentioned as sub – benzema is quick, but his final ball leaves a lot to be desired in this match
forgot to say, he did score tho
Ben arfa hasn’t played alot for lyon and he aint been that great when he does play
Pjanic no doubt had offers to leave France, but at 17 i can understand why he wanted to stay.
Ive said it before i doubt we will buy Ben Arfa, too much media hype, but lets wait and see.
I liked what I saw of Pjanic. Rosicky type midfielder but more of a runner. Clubs in France will always sell to Lyon as they can get money when he’s sold on for big money. Ben Arfa would be a good signing but I doubt Wenger would pay £16m for him. Wenger could transform his career like he did with Pires & Henry. I hope we get someone who could offer an immediate improvement to the squad. Diego would definitely and maybe Nasri too
so if you doubt we will sign ben arfa, who do you think we will sign JS?
fnx
If Merida was as big a talent as Cesc i would have thought that we’d have seen him more around the first team. Remember that Cesc (and to a lesser extent Walcott) were 16/17 when he started to be integrated and given appearances whereas Merida is now 18 and all we’ve had is a 5 minute cameo in the Carling cup. Is there a suggestion that he has not developed physically as fast as those two players?
Anybody know about Pedro Botelho?
I saw a small clip of him on youtube he is a fullback/ left winger.
He ran the whole length of pitch passing 3-4 players but his shot was saved. Seems like a good attacking leftback. A much taller Roberto Carlos. If he is good defending as well he could be a super left back for us in a couple years/backup for Clichy.
I saw some of the Sociedad match, his passing range is fantastic, he almost curled one into top corner but for great save by the goalkeeper.
I agree with Sanderson, I cant wait for him to be back for 1st team duties.
I forgot to say that before he left he wasn’t even really involvd in the Carling cup squad at all. Just happeneed to be on the bench for that game as a result of injuries. I am just a bit baffled as that’s not Wenger’s usual style with “world class” young talents. He usually brings them in an gives them a real taste of football at as young an age as possible.
What you on about? he was involved in the carling cup he came off the bench twice actually. Of the next generation coming though Barazite, Randall, Lansbury etc. he was the first to be given a chance in the carling cup. The main reason he hasnt bin involved is look whos in front of him Cesc, Diaby, Gilberto, Flamini, Denilson thats quite a few players next year he’ll start in the carling cup i think.
Interesting Samir Nasri and Miralim Pjanic have all scored this evening
Benzema, Nasir and Ben Arfa, in that order their talent is rated although they play different position. However, Ben Arfa is not worth 16 while Wenger paid Eduardo for 9.
After Wenger stated Vela will play forward instead of his usual spot on the wing, I can see Arfa on wing, his natural position.
I have to admit that I am tired of ” Arsenal tracking, scouting, monitoring, agent confirming interest, approach, dicusion or trusted scout see at the pitch. Please don’t report unless one has confirmed information player signed otherwise we all wasting energy and clogging the net.
In reply to Jimmy’s argument, I totally disagree with you, all players develop at different rates, also i dont think him not playing much until now is down to his forward play [probably defensive game & tactical know how]
All other european countries allow 7 subs thus if teams already have games wrapped up, they can bring on talented prospects to slowly ease them into League matches. Also If you take all the players who have played in UEFA u17s championship since 2000, you will be suprised how certain have disappeared & vice versa, players develop after that tournament eg Ronaldo.
Randall and Lansbury have both had more minutes in the carling cup than Merida.
That means nothing though Merida is ahead of Lansbury and Randall in terms of development.
Supergunner07 next season premier league will have 7 subs on the bench which is good news.
Diarra had a massive game today for pompey, so dissappointed he left he wud be perfect ready made replacement for Diarra. I really hope Nasri signs, but more concerned about a decent centre back to be honest
diarra tries to do too much and his passing isn’t great
he has really good feet and great control but his total effectiveness isn’t as much as flamini or gilberto
still he has time on his side though
Jimmy argument, carried on my supergunner.
Edu and Vieira was injured for long periods and there was no one else, that’s why Fabregas was thrust into the team. If Fabregas, Diaby, Denilson, Gilberto and Flamini were injured, I’m pretty sure Merida would have come in.
According too the sunday mirrior, wilshere will sign a 5 year contract when he turns 17
I expect we will sign Samir Nasri…
watch this space
what do u mean by watch this space
wait and see is what i mean…
I just hope if we do get Ben afra or nasri that they step up because they aint really impressed me because when i’ve seen them play they just look average
Sanderson did you hear this from one of your contacts at the club? because if this is true thats great news because either Nasri or Ben Arfa would be great for the arsenal
Yes, 17 million Euros. The deal will be announced shortly
ah quality and in shortly so i have an idea later tonight? tommorrow? if you know roughly how soon
That really sounds good to get Nasri. I have never seen him play but if Wenger is ready to pay that much for him than there must be something special to him. If your sources are true then he could be announced any day. The sesason is over for Marseille so there should be no more obstacles.
Nasri is good player..