Fran Merida profile
Name
Fran Merida
Born
March 04, 1990
Barcelona, Spain
Position
Midfielder
Squad Number
32
Previous Club(s)
Barcelona
Joined Arsenal
January 10, 2007
Arsenal Debut
Newcastle United (h)
Carling Cup
September 25, 2007
Won 2-0
A creative, highly technical central or left-sided midfielder, Fran has made a big impact following his arrival at Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer of 2006.
Like so many of the Club’s young players, Fran made his first-team debut in the Carling Cup – in his case, a 2-0 win over Newcastle early in the 2007/08 campaign. Once the young Gunners had been knocked out at the Semi-Final stage he took the next step in his development – a loan move.
Fran spent four months at Real Sociedad in 2008, helping them maintain a promotion push until the end of the campaign. And there was good news when the Spaniard returned to England with a new contract waiting for him.
Last summer Fran starred at the Uefa Under-19 Championships and was named in the tournament’s Top Ten stars for the future. And he continued to make good progress in the season that followed, making five first-team appearances.
Three of those came in the Carling Cup but Fran also took his chance in the Premier League, making his top-flight debut at West Brom and coming off the bench again at Portsmouth.
Fran is one of the Club’s most highly-rated young players and looked right at home in the first team when Arsenal lifted the Emirates Cup in pre-season. The Spaniard partnered compatriot Cesc Fabregas in the heart of midfield and set up a goal for Eduardo in a fine all-round display against Rangers.
Don’t be surprised to see him at Emirates Stadium a lot more this season.
MY YEAR
September
Fran didn't play for Arsenal in September. He flew out to Egypt to represent Spain at the Uner-20 World Cup where he scored three goals in their first two group games, including both goals in a 2-0 win over Nigeria.
August
Fran's only competitive first-team appearance in August was as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 home win against Portsmouth. However, he started against Rangers in the Emirates Cup, and was a half-time substitute against Atletico Madrid. Merida also featured in the friendly against Valencia, being introduced midway through the second half.
32. Fran Merida - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2006-2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007-2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 |
| 2008-2009 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 |
| 2009-2010 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Totals | 0+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3+6 | 0 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Fran Merida - News
-
Wed, Sep 30, 2009
Under-20 World Cup: Merida on target in Egypt -
Thu, Sep 24, 2009
Hoyte and Merida set for Under-20 World Cup -
Tue, Sep 8, 2009
Merida - Why I rejected possible loan deal -
Wed, Sep 2, 2009
Merida - First-team step was a great moment -
Mon, Aug 3, 2009
Merida - Making first team is my only target -
Thu, May 7, 2009
Fran-tastic strike ends Merida goal drought -
Wed, Mar 25, 2009
TV Online: Merida - Why I'm so happy here -
Fri, Feb 13, 2009
TV Online: Merida - I am ready for my chance -
Tue, Nov 11, 2008
Merida - My vital introduction to big stage -
Thu, Aug 14, 2008
Spanish lesson has Merida keen on first-team
