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Atlético Madrid presented Fran Mérida to a large gathering of fans and media at their Vicente Calderón Stadium this afternoon. The 20-year-old completed the second part of a medical and then signed a four year contract. He will become a Madrid player on July 1st, when his Arsenal deal expires.

The midfielder was then presented with his new shirt, in which he will wear his full name on the back, before attending a press conference. He was quizzed first on his departure from the Gunners.

“There are circumstances in life. I was very comfortable at Arsenal, but when I knew of the interest from Atlético then I did not hesitate. I talked to my agent and I told him of my desire to accept the offer. Wenger has always looked after me and my family since I arrived in London. I have a very good relationship with him. I am and I will be eternally grateful. Obviously he was very displeased with my departure, but he wished me luck and behaved like a gentleman.”

Mérida leaves behind the famous Enfield flat, which has been lived in by a selection of Arsenal Academy products. The notable recent occupants include Cesc Fàbregas and Philippe Senderos. Fran confirmed that Madrid was his dream club while also indicating he will get playing time in his preferred position of behind the strikers.

A UEFA tribunal is set to decide how much compensation changes hands, as although the player is out of contract, he is under 23.

England Under 17’s have reached the final of the UEFA Under 17 European Championship Finals after beating France 2-1. A brace from Connor Wickham gave them the victory, with Benik Afobe claiming an assist. Coach John Peacock switched the formation again before kick off, this time playing Afobe in a ‘number 10’ role behind Wickham.

After a sluggish opening 10 minutes, both sides kicked on and had early chances. Paul Pogba drilled one effort from the edge at the box, but it was easy for Jack Butland. Up the other end, Afobe had the best chance of the game after catching Alvin Arrondel cold, he charged down a ball forward and raced in on goal, a solid save from Alphonse Aréola denied a certain goal. Benik then headed the resulting corner inches over.

After sustained pressure which included France hacking four England chances off the line, the Young Lions got their goal. Nathaniel Chalobah’s long pass found Afobe, he chested down and then rolled in Connor Wickham, the Ipswich striker finished across the ‘keeper for his first goal of the tournament.

Les Bleus then dominated the possession but they couldn’t find a way through. Afobe was then pulled onto the left wing, creating space for Conor Coady through the middle. Coady raced into the final third and picked out Wickham with a fine pass. He again finished across Aréola for a simple second. It came on the stroke of half time.

The second half began in a strange manner when Butland was punished for time wasting with the award of a free-kick inside the box. Sanogo drilled the ball straight at Butland in a crowded area.

End to end play was the main feature of the second half, but neither side could get the key fourth goal. Afobe play the whole of the second half wide on the left, having little impact. A selection of shaky moments at the back were weathered, and England had their place in Sunday’s Final, with either Turkey or Spain to face them.

Welcome to ‘Loanees Analysis’ – the new summer section on Young Guns where we review the trials and tribulations of Arsenal’s loan stars during the previous campaign. The series kicks off with Arsenal’s only Premier League starlet this year, Jack Wilshere.

Jack Wilshere is one of Arsenal’s brightest and most exciting prospects. Yet after just seven appearances this season, three from the bench, Arsène Wenger decided to shift the youngsters development into the next gear. Negotiations with Celtic, FC Twente and Burnley all took place, but eventually it was Bolton Wanderers who won the race to sign one of the most coveted English prospects.

He missed out an immediate debut against Liverpool but was eventually given a chance to shine during a surprise start against Manchester City. He impressed with some silky touches and skills, adding a technical and exciting option to Bolton attack. It was the first game of many as he secured a regular starting spot.

Within a matter of weeks he had doubled his career Arsenal appearances and completed the season with 13. Although he claimed a selection of assists, goals were hard to come by. He did get one, though. A superb volley against West Ham which proved to be the start of a great run for Owen Coyle’s improving outfit.

Coyle then tried Jack out in a central birth, playing him behind two strikers and even as a “number 10” against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Another classy performance endeared him to the Lancashire faithful. What impressed them most, is at just 5’7 and coming from a team not noted for their ‘rough stuff’, the 18-year-old was prepared to tackle back, fight and scrap for every ball.

He completed the season with another solid performance against Birmingham and as a measure of how well he had done, Coyle pulled him off in stoppage time to reap the rewards of his work from the crowd. The only blot on the copy book was some silly yellow cards picked up for overzealous tackles and kicking the ball away.

Loanee Rating: 8/10. After a slow start, Jack nailed down a regular spot in the Bolton side and impressed manager, coaching staff and fans alike. The experience will no doubt be key in the future and the fact a scramble is on for a second loan spell shows just what an impact the youngster can have.

England Under 17’s secured their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Under 17 European Championship Finals after beating Turkey 2-1 in their final group game. Coach John Peacock knew before kick off his side were through, so he rotated, giving rests to a selection of his regulars. However, Benik Afobe again started up front and he would go on to play a key part.

The Young Lions had a sluggish start to the fixture and replacement goalkeeper Jack Butland was forced into a selection of early saves to keep things level. Yet Turkish pressure tolled and they got the goal they needed in the 31st minute, when Okan Derıcı took advantage of poor defending to flick home ahead of the advancing Butland.

England stepped up their game and were behind for just 4 minutes. Saido Berahino, only in the squad following Chuks Aneke’s injury, showed beautiful composure and superb close control to juggle the ball inside the box before poking it into the net from close range. It was 1-1 at the break.

Peacock’s boys snapped straight out of the traps in the second half. Afobe controlled the ball on the wing and then burst inside the full back, he managed to shrug off the Turkish centre half but a poor connection saw his shot claimed well by Muhammed Uysal.

Turkey had their chances to grab the goal they needed, but eventually England got themselves in front. Afobe spotted a sloppy back pass and took full advantage. After winning a ball he had no right to win, he skipped around the on rushing Uysal, who clattered into the Arsenal forward. It was a clear cut spot kick. Benik shrugged off many who wanted to take the spot kick, but Peacock ordered Rob Hall to take. He did, and he curled home from 12 yards.

Late substitutes ruined the flow of the game but there was just time for Afobe to almost score, after nutmegging one full back, he drew the other in and squared for Williams, but he couldn’t apply the finish from close range.

The win means England not only have a 100% qualifying record, but a 100% record in the tournament finals. The three points guarantees that they will face France in the first semi-final after winning Group B.

Oğuzhan Özyakup joined Arsenal from AZ Alkmaar two years ago, and after a trophy laden spell in the youth ranks, the Dutch Under 19 captain has got his sights firmly locked on Arsène Wenger’s first-team.

Özyakup’s season has been one of jubilation and frustration, with injuries and lack of form disrupting his campaign at times. However, his finish to the year has been fantastic, with regular Reserve action and 90 minutes in the Premier Academy League Final. At 17 and having signed his first professional contract, moving to the first-team is naturally the next step.

“Next season is very important. I hear at the end of this month if I will be training with the first or second team for pre-season. If I’m in the first-team, it’s very, very good. That means that I am there every day and I can prove myself to the boss.”

Many have made comparisons between Ozzie and Arsenal skipper Fàbregas. A natural comparison between the two play-makers, but it’s not from chance; the Dutchman watches and models his play on that of the talismanic number four. Recent links with Barcelona? he’s going nowhere, according to Oğuzhan.

“Fabregas will stay at Arsenal, I think. He has everything to his taste.”

As players reach 17-18, the option of being loaned out comes to the fore. Confidence is a key aspect of his play, and Özyakup believes he is good enough to break into the first-team of his own accord, whilst admitting he’s skeptical about how key a temporary spell away is.

“I think a loan spell is uncomfortable. If you accept a loan, then you must immediately go into to the first team. This has always been my goal anyway so I’ve never thought about a loan. Sometimes being loaned has worked out but most players are then sent out again and again, and that’s the end of them. “

With talent comes pressures and expectations. Being an Arsenal youth player, that increases the intensity of pressure, yet the former Alkmaar prospect takes it all his stride with a wise nature.

“Media, newspapers, pressure from family or peer pressure does nothing for me. For example, the final of the League Championship, I see as a normal game, of course you have the interest of such a game in mind. But if you don’t deal with the pressure to make it, you can never make it.”

Özyakup, who rebuffs the idea he could switch his allegiance to Turkey anytime soon, is set for a bright future.

Fran Mérida has rejected a second and improved offer from Arsenal and will now join Atlético Madrid on July 1st. The Spanish Under 21 international has already said his goodbyes to his team mates and is expected in Spain on Monday to finalise terms on a five-year-deal.

Arsène Wenger agreed a contract extension with Mérida before the end of the campaign, but he requested more time to mull over the decision. Agent Joseba Diaz then instigated a meeting with Europa League winners Madrid who also offered him a contract, with similar terms. Fran told Wenger he would be leaving in search of more playing time, but last week a final, improved offer was placed, but snubbed.

Fran is desperate for more playing time despite being given increasing Premier League and Carling Cup chances. He has also started in both the FA Cup and Champions League, finishing this year with two first team goals to his name. The 20-year-old is set to have his wages doubled with Atlético, yet Diaz has refuted claims he is simply leaving for money.

“Fran’s decision is based purely on sporting questions and not money.”

Mérida joined Arsenal in 2007 from Barcelona on a free transfer although compensation was paid following a long standing contract dispute. Madrid will also have to pay the Gunners compensation as the player is under 23.

England Under 17’s are all but through to the knock out stages of the UEFA Under 17 European Championship Finals after beating Greece 1-0 this evening. Benik Afobe started on the left of a 4-3-3, with Connor Wickham and Will Keane making up an exciting striker force. He completed 51 minutes before being replaced.

John Peacock’s boys began tentatively against the less than fancied Greeks. Eventually they got going and some slick link up play between Afobe and Wickham created space, but the killer ball was lacking. Wickham almost gave the Young Lions a lead from Joshua McEachran’s delivery from the left, yet the key goal was alluding them.

Finally, and after some sustained pressure, Luke Garbutt’s cross was headed home by Ross Barkley. The half came to a close with Afobe heading over from Garbutt’s drilled ball from the left, before again flicking over, this time from a corner he won after skillfully beating his man on the right.

Boasting a lead, England began the second period well. Afobe and Keane both won free-kicks in dangerous areas after tricking their way beyond the full backs, but neither came to anything. Following a sustained period without the ball, West Ham’s Robert Hall replaced Benik with 29 minutes left on the clock.

A passive finish to the game was enough to garentee another three points, putting England a step closer to grabbing the crown they’re favourites for.

Luke Ayling will join League One side Yeovil Town on a bosman transfer when his Arsenal contract expires on July 1st. The classy central defender spent the closing stages of last season on loan at Huish Park where he featured four times, three of which came  as a substitute.

Ayling was a key part of Steve Bould’s “double” winning side, but unlike centre back partner Kyle Bartley, he never kicked on. An injury hit start to this season saw him slip down the pecking order and even face a difficult return to Under 18 football. Luke confronted Liam Brady about his situation with the club, and a move was always on the cards.

Arsenal have decided against renewing his contract and after manager Terry Skiverton confirmed his intention to snap up Ayling, a deal was thrashed out last week. He will link up with Town for pre-season training on July 1st, subject to a successful medical.

Luke joins Sam Byles, Rhema Obed and James Dunn is being released this summer.

England Under 17’s kicked off their UEFA Under 17 European Championship Finals campaign with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic. Benik Afobe started and scored but Chuks Aneke missed out, he wasn’t included in the team for tonight’s game with a suspected injury.

Afobe began in attack with Connor Wickham, while Will Keane was on hand to make a third forward from the right. England, the pre-tournament favourites, got off to an awkward start and conceded when Jakub Plšek was left with a free header inside the box to put the Czech Republic in front.

The Young Lions hit back with Afobe having a tame header cleared before Keane worked an angle to shoot, but he lashed wide. However, they were behind for just 13 minutes when Keane’s cross for Afobe was blocked, and the arriving Ross Barkley slammed into the net. Both sides exchanged scrappy free-kicks and yellow cards until Peacock’s boys stepped it up towards the end of the half. Benik won two free kicks and he looked certain to put his side in front after a brilliant turn in the box, yet the offside flag came to the Czech’s rescue.

The first half ended with Česlák’s free-kick being headed away by Afobe in the heavy rain, with England clearly on top but struggling to get their noses in front.

After a sluggish start to the second half, England finally got going. Afobe was involved early on, bullying his way down the left before crossing for Wickham, but he flicked wide from close range. It was a brilliant chance. Wickham would have another similar chance 5 minutes later, again made by the Gunners striker from the left. This time he found McEachran who rolled in the leggy Ipswich striker, he volleyed at the ‘keeper.

With 15 minutes left, England finally got their goal. Afobe burst from left to right and found substitute Hall, he played in Wickham who setup McEachran for 2-1. It was a well worked goal but things got better just 60 seconds later. Rose found Benik 25 yards out, he spun and curled the ball via a deflection into the corner. With 6 goals in 5 games during qualifying, he’s the early favourite for the prestigious Golden Boot.

It finished 3-1 to England, giving them a perfect start to Group B. They lead despite Turkey beating Greece earlier on. Elsewhere, in Group A, Spain beat France 2-1 and Portugal crushed Switzerland 3-0.