Whilst Fran Mérida is currently in the Czech Republic ahead of the UEFA Under 19 European Championships, much speculation and interest in his future persists.
Following the commencement of the competition on the 26th of July, Fran will return to Arsenal where he will be informed of where he future lies. One thing is certain, and that’s he will not be leaving the club in a permanent nature.
Arsène Wenger handed the 18 year old a new deal at the end of last season, and described the former Barcelona youth prospect as “amazing”.
Both the player and club could be forced to shell out after a row with Barca over Mérida’s contract rights when he was 16, and although there is a dispute of whether the full amount will be paid, all the coaching staff at the club share the belief that Fran can be a fantastic player for Arsenal.
On the other hand, the potential of him being loaned out against also exists. Real Sociedad included an agreement in his original loan contract, which entailed that should Sociedad gain promotion to La Liga, they could have him again for next season. However, they failed on the final day of the season.
UD Salamanca have previously expressed their interest in taking the young Spaniard back to his home land, and while the experience gained on loan is crucial, Wenger may consider him ready enough to be granted a chance in the Arsenal team.
He will play an important part in the Spain team throughout the tournament, and the youngster will be hoping he can do the same for his club on his return.
For all the latest news, information, pictures, and more, check out Fran Mérida News.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I think he should be included in the first team. He has incredible vision. He is a left-footed Iniesta type player, Well, no yet. He has a wonderful future ahead of him. No doubt in the Red and White.
no yet?. Not yet*
Anyway, i think if he is put in Reserves again he’ll hate it. Out on loan is better. I just don’t think La Liga is the place. Being around his friends for a whole year knowing he won’t likely be there next season means that they’ll be alot of partying. I say send him to the Championship.
I’ve also been hearing rumours about his attitude. We wouldn’t want a player like that. If he sits on the bench for the whole season and gets to play the last 5 minutes of the last game in the epl where we need to clinch he title. He could be doing this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Kjr5nuuRs&feature=bz303
What do you guys think willl happen Jay Simpson? Promotion to 1st team,loan or sale?
Also why hasn’t the list of released players been made public yet?
a real talent i hope he makes it hear. just off the topic j.s but there are alot of rumors are flying around about aguero. i read this on gooner talk whats your take on it,
According to Argentina newspaper Benos Aires Herald Arsene wenger is understood to have met with Atletico officials and representatives to thrash out a £32.75m deal to bring the argentine to the Emirates. Sergio Aguero is with argentina preparing for the olympics and is believed to be very interested in a move to ‘London’ and was quoted in buenos aires herald newspaper
“London is a great city. Arsenalfc is a very attractive team with a great manger (Wenger) and i would definitely welcome the chance to play for them. There has been an offer but I cannot say more until I have spoken to the club about the offer”
http://www.buenosairesherald.com
Josh, Aguero wanted a bigger paycheck and rumours have it Athletico refused, this is just rumours from his agent to scare A.M
I dont think he has an attitude really, he is a very fiesty boy, and can get stuck in.
I think like Seedorf said.. he has a bright future
seedorf how do u know that
“According to Argentina newspaper Benos Aires Herald Arsene wenger is understood to have met with Atletico officials and representatives to thrash out a £32.75m deal”
32 million!? haha. I dont believe it even in the slightest. Adebayor has not left yet, and its looking likely that he wont leave, so we wont buy any more strikers yet.
If wenger wanted Aguero I think he would of got him when he was still in Argentina but 32mill is alot of money
What a player. Fantastic, his eye for a pass is Fabregas-like. And there is only one other man we can say that about, the man himself. Fran will be worth every penny of the compensation fee that we will inevitably be forced to pay, because Sepp and co. hate the Premiership and it’s clubs. Along with an invoice of our Compensation payment, we should send a thank you letter to Joan deporting – or is it Joan LaPorta?? haha anyways we should say thanks, because under his guidance, Barca have let go two of their most promisingly talented midfield players, at 16, both to us!! Wenger saved us one hell of a lot of cash getting Fab, then Merida comes just after!! Who says wenger don’t know how to deal in the transfer market!!
Josh, I can’t see Arsene spending over £30m on an unproven (in the PL striker).
Arsene doesn’t often comment on the young players but he has been effusive in his praise of Fran, so hopefully he will be given a chance in the first team next season.
We need him in the first team. Ignacio Camacho at A. Madrid broke through with them and Merida can do the same for us.
Plus, we need another free kick specialist. Can’t stand Toure.
etoo wont come to arsenal because if arsene wanted to sign him den he would have done it in the henry deal
barca offred cash plus etoo for henry and wenger rejected it so why would he go and sign him now dat he is older
wenger will sign a player dat we have never heard of or havent seen play dat much
trust me
and i wonder who dat experienced epl player arsene was talkin about signing
Has anyone actually checked that link out?
I believe Mérida is technically ready to play with the first team now, every Reserve outing he used to dominate, no exaggeration. Physically he’s only going to get stronger but he can certainly make an impact, no doubt.
I don’t think he’ll go on loan again, if he does then it’ll probably be until January only.
I reckon another year out on loan. Be nice to see him go to Osasuna in Vela’s place. Playing top flight would bring him on leaps and bounds. Maybe Wengers waiting on the u19 tournament to finish to see if it ups his profile because I don’t think he’ll want him to go back to the second flight
Fran should be in the 1st team squad, he is more than ready. If we loan him out again I think we will lose him altogether.
Does any one know if that Sergio Aguero rumor and those quote are true
Doesn’t need another loan. He can have a huge impact for us next season. His skill level is already comparable to Rosicky and he’s no light weight either.
I just dont know were in our fist team he is going to play because Theo Walcott has the right hand side all to him self and Nasri will probably play on the left and he is not good enough to take Francesc Fabregas place in midfield, i know Spain have played him as a second striker of Bojan Krkic in the U17’s team in the past but will Asrene Wenger play Fran Merida in that role at Arsenal with the likes of Carlos Vela and mabey sometimes Theo Walcott to choose from i personall am not so sure that he will IMO
jay what do you think of sergio aguero?
Aguero is out of our price range. We should have enough confidence in Bendtner, Walcott, and Vela…so I don’t think we need him either.
Fran Merida will have a fantastic future for Arsenal. The best passer in the club? He never misses a pass. Got a little pace in him too. Could become our new winger in a Rosicky role, but on the right hand side. Nasri on the left, Cesc and Ramsey in the middle. Does it get any better? But we are far from that yet. But he need to be blooded in the first team ASAP, get some minuts in PL, start in Carling cup, play when the victory is secured. With 7 subsitutes, it looks much brighter tbh!
Aguero is sheer class. He is revered in Argentina and is one of the best players in La Liga. To me ( and according to the well respected Tim Vickery – bbc south american correspondent, who spoke glowingly of a young Messi before the rest of the world) describes aguero as the closest player to Brazilian legend Romario as he has ever seen. To put things in context, Aguero scored 19 goals last season in La Liga. Golden boy Fernando Torres has only done that once in his entire Madrid career and he has never bested it. Aguero did it in his first full season with Atletico.
sorry I’m new to all these shortcuts… whats IMO stand for
i think actually aguero might be coming afterall
that link says we are going to sign aguero. gd luck merida
IMO – In my opinion
I believe he will be served better out on loan getting as many games as possible. Being in 25 to 35 first team game is better than a hand full of sub appearaances and the carling cup. Plus we will have loads of 18 year olds trying to get into the squad, merida should be loaned out to a championship club to get used to the physical requirements of the english game
Koyo, I’m all for Merida going on a loan move to a top flight La Liga side. No point in sending him to a championship side. If you think technique is bad in Epl what do you think its like in the Championship. He is already use to the pace of England, now he needs to bulk up a little and grow his football brain more.
aguerro is awesome but we would never get him. He gets paid a fortune at atletico. However if we could sell ade and buy aguerro for the same money then we would be getting the deal of the summer
Derrick no matter how long he stays on loan in Spain he will still take a minimum of four months of playing regularly in epl to become aclimatised to the games physial nature. He would be able to gain that side of experience requiered in the championship. perhaps he could be loaned till jan there then to a premiership club.
In fairness whilst he was at Real, he has developed alot more, not just in football terms, but also physically.
However, i agree he could get better.
I believe Mérida is technically ready to play with the first team now, every Reserve outing he used to dominate, no exaggeration. Physically he’s only going to get stronger but he can certainly make an impact, no doubt.
I don’t think he’ll go on loan again, if he does then it’ll probably be until January only.
F.Merida said this on July 13, 2008 at 8:03 pm
————————–
But you would say that!
Whats this about Merida shouldnt be loaned to an English club coz its all ruff n tumble? Erm, thats the effin league we all hope he ends up playing in innit?
I believe Mérida is technically ready to play with the first team now, every Reserve outing he used to dominate, no exaggeration. Physically he’s only going to get stronger but he can certainly make an impact, no doubt.
I don’t think he’ll go on loan again, if he does then it’ll probably be until January only.
F.Merida said this on July 13, 2008 at 8:03 pm
————————–
But you would say that!
Dwayne Dibbly said this on July 13, 2008 at 9:14 pm
———–
It’s true, technically he’s spot on. Passing, shooting, dribbling, he can do it all, his speed of thought is insane.
If he is going to get loaned out, I hope it’s to a top flight team.
Aguero looks outstanding. It just looks like agent talk though as neither us nor Liverpool can afford him (unless they genuinely want to go bankrupt) and Utd look to be going for Berbatov. Unless they are now sure Ronaldo is gone and are already looking to spend the money (again, LOL bankruptcy) which is a definite possibility. The agent says it isn’t Chelsea and he would def. not go to any non top-4 team.
I would love, love, LOVE Aguero at Arsenal and if we are genuinely going to get £30m for Ade, he would be top of my list of players to buy with the cash (well, Messi isn’t in that sorta price range..). I’ve had a sneaking suspision that Wenger is trying to play down our new financial muscle, I guess who, if any comes, Ade’s replacement is will tell the tale. To me it looks certain Kun will be starting with the less cuntish Madrid next season though.
J – Merida plays at cm right? Or on the left? I’ve read a ton about this kid since he arrived and I still am not really sure. Genuinely, how much play do you think he’ll get assuming he stays next season? CC games? A couple sub shots against lesser sides? If he is a left midfielder, and we come into the same trouble as last year, will he get picked over Diaby? Or will Traore? Man, I love that our squad has very suddenly become huge.
F Merida; I aint disagreeing with you, I was saying it coz of your name fella!
merida is always on loan i want him amongst the first team. might as well take rosickys place who never plays. waste of space.
Also: Does anyone think it’s ludicrous we are regularly thinking about the impact 18 year olds will have on our first team? If we want to be considered a big club, it’s crazy that we sit and expect another Cesc. The likes of Real and Milan are notorious for making players wait till their mid twenties to be even considered! However, it’s a very odd time for us to be making the push, as the transfer market crumbles a little more everyday while our kids look better in such a timeframe. With the big list to now be added to the first team (Mannone, Nordtveit, Traore, Gibbs, Merida, Randall, possibly Lansbury, Ramsey, Vela, Barazite…) and all trying the impress and bite at the heels of anyone slacking in their position, the size of our squad suddenly seems not to be an issue. It just seems crazy how young and inexperienced our team looks, especially considering our second string (the likes of denilson, djorou, theo and nik, nasri…) average around 20. Hell, Cesc is still a young’n.
When this team grows up, it will be marvellous. It will also be at a time when we have genuine financial muscle in the transfer market if there are problems. But for now, it’s so young! It may be exciting but it’s also inexperienced for when we play up north in novembers.
I dunno, I guess with pre-season looking incredibly close I am getting pre-season jitters.
Merida should be sold – not good enough for Arsenal, and not really talented enough to make it long-term. He’s all hype.
Don’t forget starting this season, teams in the Oremier League can have 7 substitutes on the bench rather than 5 (still only allowed to make 3 subs though) so there is an extra 2 places on the bench up for grabs
His problem is that he will be late getting back and may miss the entrire pre-season because of euro u-19 finals. As we saw last year with Diarra and Gilberto, it’s hard to get into the team if you miss the pre-season boat. He’s probabyl better served on loan – maybe this time in England so that he can get a little taste of the more physical side of things. He needs to play regularly so I think the chamionship may be the best bet – otherwise maybe follow in Vela’s footsteps by progressing from a season in the Segunda to a season in La Liga.
Jimbo: It’s like I said: Cesc the 17 year old has given us unrealistic expectations of our kids. I assume you are in the same boat as most of us: seen the odd reserves game, youtube kids and press clippings yes? Well, to me that says very little. If you saw a game when Eboue looked like Ronaldo and didn’t see every other thing he did, you’d wonder why he wasn’t going to Real for 70m. 18 year olds are usually restricted to the training ground and kick about friendly reserves games. Of course this gives an indication of what they will be like in the future but writing someone off before you see how they do in the league, constantly and years before they are expected to peak, hell, years before they are treated as bench regulars let alone team regulars is a bit rich.
Obviously you can tell when some kids aren’t good enough. No-one is hesitating with the idea of James Dunne leaving. But Merida has put two of the biggest clubs in the world in a court-room war over him and had top managers talk of his potential. He’s only 18 and on a 5 year contract: we may not see greatness for years from him but there is a genuine possibility of greatness coming from him. It’s just a bit much to write off someone as just hype before he gets a chance to really prove whether he is worthy or not.
The likes of West Brom and Sunderland have expressed interest in Arsenal loans and we know Steve Bruce has a great relationship involving player development and loans with our Arsene. And then there is our friendships with Osasuna, Sociedad (close to top flight football) and Ajax.
Can we start looking at top flight loans as a genuine option instead of degrading the best academy in lesser teams and leagues?
I just read one amazing post, looked down and saw the biggest heap of crap since I last trod in some. Samuel, great post and I agree with it all, because we have so many I feel we’re getting over excited, but it’s hard not to. Wenger gives players at around 18 and 19 the chance to impress and hopefully they take them, it’s not like we’re expecting them to become Cesc Fabregas and play every game since they’re 17, the circumstances were 100% different, but it’s because he’s given them the chance that when the next 17 comes around, we all expect the same, it’s just natural. I don’t expect players like Lansbury and Merida to play solidly until they’re about 20, personally.
Jimbo on the other hand, are you an Arsenal fan? I’m not going to become aggressive here because that statement implies that you have no knowledge whatsoever. Am I insulting your intelligence? Of course I am, because you’re talking out of your arse. Not talented enough eh? Ha! Funny guy, he’s probably the most talented player we have at the moment in the Reserves..
As his number one fran (haha) i can tell you that he is gonna be frantastic (hoho)and won’t be meridy like hleb and adebayor (heehee).
nicely said fran, must be an ass licking spurs fan. anywayz do all arsenal supporters have good top quality blogs, i think i should make one. but the quality of youngguns, carlos vela news, franmerida news, nicklas bendtner news, and the gooner chris ones are too good to comptete with. you all should have some kind of reward, enewyz keep it up. “gun it up”
oh and i was talkin about jimbo being the asslicker.
Pingback: [::] Arsenal FC News Center - 2007 | 2008 [::] - ÇáÕÝÍÉ 1543
people talk about him needing physical ability and what have you. but fabregas is slight and was slighter when he stepped into the first side at 17. what cesc had was a canny ability to shield the ball and a braveness against physical opponents
does fran have that? if he does then he has every chance of being a great premier league player, if not do a ‘pique’ and sell him to barca in a couple of seasons
aguero is a technically brilliant player. However people who believe buying him to replace adebayor are being narrow minded. just because he is young and established in athletico doesnt mean he can replace adebayor.
despite all the transfer rumours and quotes of the past month aguero simply cannot compensate for adebayors height and physical presence. the premier league is evry different to that of the spanish league; arsenal need a striker with a big physical presence.
i see aguero as a ‘van persie type’ striker; not huge, but technically gifted with a good finish. i am not saying we should sell van persie at all, rather drawing comparisons.
Pingback: Fran Mérida - Another Loan Or First Team Promotion? | Loans
I think it’s worth keeping him next season. Djourou is perfect evedenince of how a loan spell can set you back.
I think he could definatly overtake Denilson. I also dont think that we can rely on Denislon or Diaby’s fitness next season, Denilson was injured most of last season… remember when he disapeared for a few weeks? And Diaby, hes always got thigh and muscle problems.
So next season Cesc’s partner could well be shared between Merida and Randall.
If he is to be loaned out, i think WBA would be the perfect club. Top flight in EPL and were known as the Arsenal of the championship, so his technical skills will not be overlooked.
What position is he going to end up?!! What position did he play last season?!! It was hard for him to walk in the footsteps of Fabregas but he’s still young and I’ll give untill he’s 20 to break into the first team… I think he should be loaned out to a La liga team just like Vela in his second loan spell.
The news about Agüero is rubbish, we all know that! He’s not coming to us for better wages that’s first! We don’t splash that much cash on one player second! Adebayor will stay with us third!
BUT DAMN WOULD IT HAPPILY SUPRISE ME IF IT HAPPENED :P cause there are only two players I would swap Ade for: Benzema and Agüero
sorry for the caps I got excited :P
top 4 greatest gunners all time:
4. Tony Adams
3. Ian Wright
2. Dennis Bergkamp
1. Thierry Henry
Hope the Iceman is 1st cuz it will also reward loyalty
I am confused. Is Merida expected in however many years to take up a role next to Cesc or wide on the left?
Anyone know whether Eurosport are showing the Spainish match tonight? I know they are showing the England game
If Merida has to be loaned out then I would send him to a premiership club like Sunderland etc and see how he copes with playing week in week out in the top league. It would also show how much fight he has got because they are going to have to battle for points if they want to stay up.
Merida looks class and if Wenger has singled him out for praise then he will more than likely be kept with the squad and will be included on our bench – playing in various cup games and used to give Cesc a rest.
Claude, EuroSport are showing the Spain match tonight, kick off is at 19:30.
F.Merida. Spain are playi who?
14th July, 19:30 – Spain U19s vs. Germany U19s.*
17th July, 18:00 – Spain U19s vs. Hungary U19s.*
20th July, 20:00 – Spain U19’s vs. Bulgaria U19s.
* Games shown live on EuroSport.
Thanks mate, I’ll look for them on worldpctv so i can watch it on Sopcast/TVU/TVants. Those P2P sharing networks. Thanks for the timing anyway mate.
“Hope the Iceman is 1st cuz it will also reward loyalty”
not with ashley cole having already been given a mention
Cheers Fran. Merida gets a mention on the eurosport website as one to watch. Do you think he’ll be a starter for Spain? He appears to be one of the younger squad members.
He’s a regular in the staring line up and easily one of the better players. I expect him to start every game, yes.
Watch out for Ignasio Camacho next to him aswell, he’s a top player and along with Fabregas, them 3 could easily dominate Spain’s midfield in 4 years.
Can’t say Merida ever looked much cop to me when I’ve watched him.
LSOE, exactly how many times have you seen him play? This kid is special and about the most likely of our current 18 year olds to break into the first team. Watch EuroSport tonight and perhaps you’ll change your opinion
The Club that bidding for Augero is Man Utd not Arsenal. They are hoping to get either Augero or BerBatov. Arsenal should have two separate teams : first team to play only Champion league/ premier League and reserve team to play FA Cup & Carling cup. Only this way will stop First team players for being burnt out or injury andno more trophless season Fran Merida should be in reserve team playing all the FA & Carling Cup matches. Ask yourself, how much money can you make for loaning a player?
About £100,000 – £400,000 depending on the player. But considering we have a deal with Sociedad / Salamanca, they don’t have to pay anything because we just send them there..
It’s not about money though, it’s about experience.
i have not watched the game on final day of the season, but i heard he did good under sultry weather conditions.
no merida tonight – shame.
Fao Claude Balls – I don’t take much notice of foreigners I admit, but I have seen him a number of times and I don’t know what the fuss is about. Mind you I think the same about Lansbury.
With Gil leaving i think Merida will definatly be on the fringes of the first team. With injuries a common occurance with the likes of Denilson and Diaby it may not be too long before we see that breathtaking partnership of Cesc and Merida.
Pingback: Juventus To Scout Arsenal’s Spanish Starlet Mérida « [» Young Guns ! «]