Comments on: Vote! Atletico Madrid calls. Is Fran Merida too impatient or too good to be on the bench for Arsenal?

By: MUINDE A K

MUINDE A K — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:15:31 +0000

Hi,
Merida is a very skillful young player i believe so and has alot of potential considering he is only 19yrs old.What he needs now is to keep fit because we have so many games coming considering F.A cup and carling cup and at the same time Eboue and Song in Jan they will playing Africa cup for their respective countries so he stands a very good chance of featuring in a few in not many premier league games and when the opportunity comes knocking on the door he should ensure he does enjoy playing for first team and prove that to the boss and the whole world he is a first team material.All this requires hardwork and alot of patience to be a star of the future for Arsenal and what should motivate more is that he is in goods hands of a renown manager ie the professor who knows what he wants from all of his players.So Fran take control of your emotions and just work hard patiently and your time will come and all will be at your disposable to discern and enjoy most once granted the opportunity to play.
Kioko Nbi Kenya.

By: Adam Smith

Adam Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:17:46 +0000

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that highly-rated midfielder Fran Merida has agreed a new deal, but has yet to sign it.
Merida: Was linked with Atletico Madrid

Merida’s future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with Atletico Madrid keen to take him back to Spain.

The 19-year-old’s current contract expires next summer and Arsenal are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

However Wenger admits other clubs have been undermining their attempts to agree a new contract with Merida – and the Frenchman is not happy with the way Atletico Madrid have made their interest known.

“He has an offer which he has agreed, but has not signed yet,” said Wenger.

“Some clubs are doing their work behind our back to destabilise him.

“We cannot stop that, but it is a fact.”

From arsenal.com 5 minutes ago

By: Adam Smith

Adam Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:50 +0000

Considering Fran is from Northern Spain, I don’t get the connection with Athletico Madrid. That he hasn’t signed yet is of no consequence.Did RVP stall this season on his renewal,and look at him now.

I believe Vela if anyone will go.He is not been given the opportunities to start games,allowing the fact he has been injured, and the constant air time playing in Mexico doesn’t help his cause.

By: Dane

Dane — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:14:58 +0000

People keep talking about Cesc making the team at age 16, we forget that the team was diffrent back then. Cesc had Viera, Gilberto, Henry, Sol etc protecting him…some big boys in the team. The team now is not as mature…and not that big, so no matter how good Merida is he needs to work on getting fitter, the same goes for vela. Merida should just await his chance..AA will not be at arsenal in 2years, maybe even cesc and rosiscky..so that will free up some space for Merida, willshere, Ramsey, Vela and Barazite but not all of them will make it at arsenal.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:34:03 +0000

Ignoring the media crap option which I also believe is true in this case, it’s interesting to see that the first two options are divided 24% vs 31%. Fran is good, damn good, but unfortunately, he has to wait a year or two if he wants to stick with Arsenal, reason why I believe he will indeed leave.

Who can blame a 19-year old for accepting a regular place in La Liga when his other option is warming the bench in the Premiership?

By: Terfa

Terfa — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:01 +0000

I think Fran should get more playing time in the Arsenal Squad, there are sometimes when you feel players like Fran,Vela would be good like the West Ham match, I felt some of the players were exhausted.Arsene should try to give him more time and on the players part he has to be patient rushing out may not necessarily help him. I guess with the Carling Cup and F.A. Cup coming up Fran would get some time.

By: Craig86

Craig86 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:33:03 +0000

wilshere and ramsey play before him because they are british and arsenal are known for not fielding british players. don’t get me wrong, they are terrific talents, but that has to be part of wenger’s decision making.

By: Craig86

Craig86 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:31:26 +0000

so you’re telling me eboue doesnt play right attacking mid? and diaby is more defensive than offensive? merida is a CM first and formost…just like diaby. obviously you don’t watch the same arsenal i do. the problem is that people keep comparing to cesc…and cecs was in the first team when he was 16.

By: Bongo

Bongo — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:29:22 +0000

I think he’s too good to be wasted on the bench, I think his main problem is he’s been working his ass for Arsenal for years but has seen the two new younger boys (wilshire and Ramsey) promoted ahead of him whereas with a more match practice he’s easily better than both of them. He will leave when he gets the chance if Athletico make an offer.

By: Craig86

Craig86 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:25:39 +0000

tomas needs to prove he can play more than 2 games in a row…thats why they haven’t renewed his contract. i would love to see him stay, but the truth is that he is always on the treatment table, and at 29 he isn’t getting any younger, and on top of all that, we have solid youth talent (vela, wilshere, walcott, merida, ramsey) al of whom can play his position(s).