Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Sunday March 4 2007
Time: 6:39PM
UK time is: 23:23:47
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Merida signs Pro Terms
Arsenal youngster Francisco Merida Perez has today committed to a four-year contract with Arsenal.
The former Barcelona youngster celebrated his 17th birthday on 4th of March by signing the deal at Arsenal`s London Conley training ground.
Merida is tipped to have a great future at Arsenal. He is described by reserve manager Neil Banfield as being 'technically very good` and 'having a good understanding of the game. Banfield also says he has high hopes for the young Spaniard, who has drawn comparisons to another Spanish player at Arsenal - Cesc Fabregas.
Congratulations Fran!
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Your Comments
This boys gonna be the dog`s *********
arsenor
Another huge talent seals what is hopefully a glowing future, nice one Fran, look forward to seeing him in first team action after shining in the reserves the way he has, just thought I'd get my view in before our resident chelsea squatter turns this post into an argument about Carvalhos new haircut or summit! ;)
nikolaijns
lol @ nikolaijns! he is staging a sit in on Vital Arsenal, Dirty protests and everything! Having seen a little of Merida, he plays a bit like Cesc but is a little more attacking and seems to have quicker feet, cant wait to see him in the Carling cup next year.
iceman10
He's got a great left peg 'n all!
simmy8_2000
Now you see it, now you don't... http://youtube.com/watch?v=MxgCeucZrvM&mode=related&search=
simmy8_2000
Another one for the Carling Cup next season. If he's left footed and quicker than Fabregas then what the odds that Wenger will use him on the wings?
Lex touched me.
I'd say there's every chance he'll be used on the wing. He hasn't got a weak right foot, I've seen a video of him score from 20odd yards with his right.
simmy8_2000
the future is def. bright.......even when fabregas leaves we can be safe in the knowledge that we have young quality players pushing through to replace him
fran merida
yeah fran, thanks for popping up. not too many players do so. :P And the boy can whip some free kicks as well. Arsene Wenger's magic!
G4L
Looking forward to seeing a bit more of him next season. Also looking forward to seeing Carlos Vela.
flv
definitely agree about the bright future of this player. :)
ducksworth
what're we going to do with soo many young midfielders!! 1-8-1?
Farhan
Very good news and with Vela coming back in 2 years its looking good at Arsenal :)
AB_Arsenal
More good news. if nothing else, it eliminates any thought of complacency from the kids that are currently playing, though to be honest, none have shown that so far. but doesnt hurt to keep them on their toes !!
prits
Vela might be comign ooner than that, if reports are to be believed. And yes, glad to see Fran sign pro forms, after all the excitement and the battle for his signature last year, it's good to see him earning full contract, and justifying the club's chase for him. »»Arsene Knows««
Wingston75
Whats the deal with Vela btw? I dont understand his terms too well, he cant play for us coz he aint 18 yet? and he's out on loan in brazil right? someone on this forum said he was on loan in spain !! If he is our player and out on loan, i dont see his progress on the loan watch on arsenal.com. anyone?
prits
An interview with Vela can be found on the FIFA site below. They explain that due to Preimier League age restrictions, he can't move to Arsenal until 2007. Doesn't make sense to me, what with Fabs, Merida etc. Unless of course it's down to the EU citizenship thing, which is what I originally presumed anyway! Here's the link:http://www.fifa.com/en/comp/index/0,2442,117332,00.html?comp=U17&year=2005&articleid=117332
flv
He is on loan to salamanca in spain. He is 18 now & can join us in january although arsenal have put in for some sort of dispensation which will allow him to join us in june.
Ashburton Gooner
You can see some highlights here:....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9409c1t9XMc............Its not the best picture in the world but at least it gives a little glimpse of him.
Ashburton Gooner
Thanks AG. But how is it that premier league age restrictions didnt apply to cesc and fran here, but only to vela !! only thing that makes sense, like u said flv, is coz he's not a EU citizen. Isnt it unfair to have different standards?
prits
Arsenal got Denilson under some weird rule (exceptional talent rule), so why vela couldn't join under the same circumstances I don't know. It's only his visa problems that are stopping him becoming an arsenal player, hopefully that will be sorted out shortly.
Ashburton Gooner
yea, i cant wait to see vela in red and white, although in the interviews i have seen he doesnt seem overly keen on the idea of england and seems a bit bague whats going on there. I heard rumours wenger wants to bring him in in time for the start of nxt season, if he lives up to his tag as playing similar to the early ronaldo, we have lots to look forward to, and thats ronaldo im talking about not cristiano.
hazzagooner
fran-tastic. sorry, nothing interesting to say whatsoever, i just wanted to use that pun. »»Arsene Knows««
Wingston75
That's great!
I still can't believe we have this guy.
Imagine in about 5 yrs. Denilson Csec & Fran commanding the midfield.
The future is bright.
thenry009
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