Just Arsenal News

It was probably the worst kept secret of the year that the Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida had made an arrangement with Atletico Madrid to sign for them at the end of his Arsenal contract, and today El Mundo Deportivo have made an official announcement.

Their article said: Fran Mérida, el primero! El Atlético ya se ha hecho con los servicios del centrocampista que abre la nómina de fichajes de la 2010-11. El jugador llegará gratis al Vicente Calderón, acaba contrato con el Arsenal el próximo 30 de junio. .......Read the full article here

The Spanish sports paper AS yesterday published a rather detailed story about the Arsenal Executive director Ivan Gazidis meeting with the agents of Zaragoza youngster Ander Herrera.

I admit that I was rather skeptical about whether it was true or not, but today Sky Sports has supplied a quote from the Zaragoza president Agapito Iglesias which backs up their story.

The AS report also said that Arsenal had bid 10m euros for the Spanish U21 midfielder, and also indicated that that was just a starting point for negotiations as the spanish outfit valued him much higher. This was also backed up by Iglesias’ statement when he said: “The interest in Herrera is true, but if Arsenal want the kid they must pay his true value,” .......Read the full article here

The most interesting bit of Arsenal transfer news to come out of today’s papers is the report in the Sunday People that the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been in talks with Arsene Wenger for the last few days about a possible switch for Ryan Babel.

They say that Babel has turned down offers from both Sunderland and Birmingham, but is keen on a move to the Emirates, as he believes his style of play is suited to Wenger’s attacking philosophy. .......Read the full article here

The young Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida has been linked with Atletico Madrid ever since he first refused the five-year contract offered by Arsene Wenger three months ago, and the rumours were confirmed by the Spanish press the day before yesterday, but the player himself continues to deny that there is any truth in the rumours.

“At the moment I’m in talks with the boss,” he said. “My agent and I are only talking to Arsenal at the moment and nobody else.” .......Read the full article here

There is not much good news in the papers this morning regarding Arsenal players and targets, and the first story has only confirmed my worst fears.

While Arsene Wenger has been getting all the youngsters in his squad to sign extended contracts this season, the talented Spanish midfielder Fran Merida has resisted all the offers put on the table by Arsenal, which means he is now legally allowed to talk to other clubs.

There was a furore earlier in the season, when Arsene Wenger accused Atletico Madrid of tapping up Merida, and according to this mornings Spanish paper AS, Merida has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Spanish giants, and will be joining them on a Bosman next summer. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida was given a straight red card in last nights Reserve League top-of-the-table clash with Aston Villa, and will now not be available for the Carling Cup clash against Man City.

Arsenal were 1-0 up through Sanchez Watt just past the half-hour mark, when Merida gave him a perfectly placed centre from a freekick 25 yards out, but within four minutes Arsenal were educed to ten men.

Merida claimed that he was slapped in the face by Aston Villa midfielder Fabien Delph, and after a little argument the two players set about each other, and it is thought that Merida aimed a punch at Delph’s head. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida has refused to sign a new contract with Arsenal, despite only having eight months left on his deal, and the reason is because he cannot be guaranteed first team football.

He has a five year offer on the table, but he is leaving his options open to see if Wenger is serious about giving him some first team action.

He is now 19, and after some brilliant performances for the Spain U20 side, he feels he is good enough to play regularly, and so do some Spanish sides (reportedly Sevilla and Atletico Madrid) so he could move on a free this summer with massive wages and a guaranteed senior place to persuade him. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida has stamped his authority on the U20 World Cup in Egypt with a superb performance against Nigeria, which has guaranteed his country a place in the next round.

Merida had a couple of long-shots go close in the first half, after Nigeria had had the best of the possesion, and the Spanish keeper Sergio Asenjo had to pull off a few good stops.

But Spain finally got into the game as the half went on, and Merida found a way through the offside trap and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Uche Okafor to give Spain the lead. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal youngsters Gavin Hoyte and Fran Merida missed Arsenal’s Carling Cup win over West Brom on Tuesday because he has flown to Egypt to represent his country at the U20 World Cup.

Merida will be representing Spain as they take on Tahiti tomorrow in their opening match, and in the absence of Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic is expected to take the starring role in the side.

Having impressed for Spain two years ago in the U17 World Cup he is unlikely to be overawed by the occasion. .......Read the full article here