Young Guns – Arsenal Reserves & Youth News

Exciting play-maker Fran Mérida made inroads towards Arsène Wenger’s first-team during the 2008-2009 season, three years after joining the Gunners from home town club FC Barcelona.

33 appearances and 9 goals in his debut season brought him to the attention of all Arsenal fans, with Mérida scoring free-kicks and long range strikes for fun. He played a key role in the Reserves and for the Under 18′s as they reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, plying his trade in front of a record crowd at the Emirates.

His start to the 07-08 campaign was disrupted with international call-ups, as Fran played a key role in Spain’s Under 17 World Cup win. But on his return he featured from the bench throughout the Carling Cup, with sub appearances against Newcastle, Sheffield United and Blackburn.

With all competitive forms of football over in January, he was loaned to Spanish Segunda outfit Real Sociedad to gain experience.

He was mainly used a substitute at the start, but two managers later found himself as a key component of a promotion chasing team. After Fran scored a late winner against HerculesAlicante, Arsenal confirmed he had penned a new four year contract with Arsène Wenger describing him as ‘absolutely amazing’.

Mérida was once more on duty for Spain on his return, this time for the hugely competitive Under 19 team. He was suspended for the opening game, but scored and made an assist in the final group fixture. Following Spain’s elimination,UEFA named him as a ‘Future Star’.

The 2008-2009 term was a successful one for Fran. He was named on the bench for the first-team throughout the season and played a key role in the Carling Cup side. Operating on the left wing, he turned in several impressive performances as the unlucky Gunners were knocked out in the Quarters.

He was also an ever present for the Reserves, but found goals hard to come by. Mérida eventually broke his duck against West Brom in the final game of the season with a stunning chip over Dean Kiely. Wenger then gave the Spanish play-maker a chance to shine against Portsmouth in the Premier League – a chance he took.

The flamboyant play-maker is sure to became a permanent fixture in the first-team during the coming campaigns.

Name: Fran Mérida Perez
Nickname: ‘Franny’
Age: 19
Nationality: Spanish
International: Under 19
Position: Central Midfield/Left Midfield
Height: 178cm
Previous Clubs: FC Barcelona, Real Sociedad (Loan)
Contract : Professional