Fran Merida Perez Bio Send To Friend  

Mérida is a very talented young player able to play in central midfield or on the left-side of midfield.

He followed in the footsteps of fellow Spaniard Cesc Fŕbregas by signing for Arsenal, after failing to sign a professional contract with FC Barcelona, and he was spotted by Arsene Wenger's scouts playing in youth team competitions.

Mérida was ordered by the courts to pay a fee around ¬3.2million to Barcelona as compensation for his "failing to meet the terms of a personal pre-contract" with Barcelona.

Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the League Cup third round gave him his debut and he then joined Real Sociedad on loan for the second half of the 2007-08 season.

In April 2008 Mérida extended his deal with Arsenal by signing a long-term contract.

He continues to impress in the reserves and has been tipped to have a big future in the game with Wenger quoted as calling him 'an absolutely amazing player'