Wenger on the future of Fran Merida
It remains an uncertainty whether Fran Merida will stay or go but Arsene Wenger is definitely not letting go of the Catalan talent.
The Arsenal manager has vowed to keep hold of Merida in the wake of the 19-year-old’s impressive cameo at Bolton yesterday which saw him score a fine goal.
Specualtion has surfaced over the past month that the former Barcelona youth ace is seeking a return to home soil with Atletico Madrid strongly linked with a move for him.
Merida’s Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season and while negotiations for a renewal have stalled, he reaffirmed his potential to the club with his show at the Reebok stadium on Sunday.
That display has forced questions over the young midfielder’s future and Arsene Wenger maintains the choice is still in the player’s hands but promises to tie him down at Arsenal.
“He was very influential against Bolton, he has good technique, he kept the ball very well and is dangerous.”
“I’m never giving up on him so I believe yes (he will stay) but of course, we don’t know yet.” Wenger said.
Merida though, is set to be sidelined after Wenger revealed he suffered a knock during his substitute appearance against Owen Coyle’s side.
“Unfortunately we have lost Fran Merida who got kicked straight away when he came on [at Bolton] and his ankle was very bad today. But that is all we should lose from Sunday,” Wenger said.
I’ve seen a fair bit of Merida, and I like what I see, football-wise at least. However, I’ve rarely been impressed by his attitude. I’m starting to feel towards him like I felt towards the Flamster, Hleb and a few others if we go further back.
If he doesn’t want to be a gunner, then he should go. If he wants to be a part of our glorious club, he should stay. Like that mercat said. Simples.
What a spanish sensation inside emirates? Merida 2 atletico madrid no pls noooooo…….he’s talented & thts wht we are after(arsenal) give him tym
if fran merida feels he wants to go goodluck to him. we av a lot of fatasticy young guns .but if eventually he lives, AW should go 4 metsui oszil of w bremen. merida we regret living arsenl.