Arsenal Action

[Sinbad]

Fran Merida is reported to have snubbed a new deal at Arsenal and signed for Atletico Madrid.

Sources in the Spanish capital claim that Merida has agreed terms with Atletico, to join them in the summer.

Merida is out-of-contract at Emirates Stadium, and although agreeing terms on a new deal earlier this year - he failed to sign his contract.

Now the 19-year-old appears to be intent on returning to his homeland, after failing to make the impact expected at Arsenal.

Like with fellow countryman Cesc Fabregas, Merida joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old after quitting Barcelona youth system.

But Merida has failed to make a similar breakthrough to that of Fabregas, and has been limited to just a handful of first-team appearances.

Indeed he has seen most of his senior action during a loan spell at Real Sociedad in 2008.

Now Merida has seemingly decided to leave Arsenal and has opted to join Atletico - who are the club he has supported all his life.

Merida, who shunned an approached from Sevilla, has agreed a five-year deal at the Vicente Calderon.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 33,00.html?

[stevedon]

If true it is a shame. I don't know why young players sign for us if they don't want to spend long spells on loan or on the bench - you can't expect to get regular first team football at a club like Arsenal when you are only a kid, EVEN this Arsenal. Wenger may be good at giving kids a chance but he still needs results and "you win nothing with kids" as Mr Hanson once said (Man Utd were the exception that made him look a fool).

In 4 years time he'll probably be worth £30million.

I would prefer us to sign players when they are 20 - 22 so that we actually get to see some benefit as they mature, but they don't come cheap at that age.

[Roger Milla]

Agree with you steve. Its the same as players like Lupoli and Quincy. All hyped up to be the next big thing and then they leave for nothing.

I like this kid and its a shame if he leave for nothing. I feel he is better then Denilson and should start ahead of him

[Sp1r0r]

We saw in the FA Cup match against West Ham that he is'nt ready. Yes he might be the next big thing but only if he stays at Arsenal. If he is not prepared to wait, Arsenal won't be the bigger losers. We still have Randall and Lansbury who have been here forever and probably deserve their chance.

Merida has talent, but talent is nothing without hardwork and patience. Good luck to him !

[Gunner_X5]

He has shown potential, but isn't quite there yet. A shame if he does go, but not the end of the world

[thatgooner]

We have Ramsey and Wilshire who seemed to be ahead of him in the pecking order since the beginning of the season and let's not forget Henri Lansbury. I'm not too worried about him. We are selling him outside of England. I always figured he wouldn't make it here.

[Kerr345]

It's too bad but as others said, he's not exactly in a personnel starved position. Hope he does well abroad. Would like to see him succeed.

[Sinbad]

Cant blame him for wanting to leave.

Wasted and not used

[Deano]

Cant blame him for wanting to leave.

Wasted and not used

How was he 'wasted'?

You say that, Sinbad, but whenever the youngsters are given a chance and fail to look good, you slate the idea and demand men should be used and not boys. You can't have it both ways. Wenger likes him but he's reportedly turned down a new deal. Would YOU put Merida in front of Ramsey?

They can't all play ffs.

[Evertonian]

Spanish youngster Fran Merida says that he is holding contract talks with Arsenal and no one else.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and it has been speculated terms were agreed.

However, the teenager insists that staying at the Emirates is his top priority and that he remains hopeful of reaching an accord.

Although the Spain Under 21 starlet is free to agree a pre-contract agreement elsewhere he wants to see how talks with Arsenal progress before deciding his fate.

Time needed
"At the moment I am in talks with the boss. I told him I needed a bit of time," explained Merida.

"The first thing in my mind is definitely to stay here, but I have to look at a few things and we will see how things progress.

"My agent and I are only talking to Arsenal at the moment, though, and nobody else - I want to see how my situation looks here and then I will decide what to do."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 91,00.html