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Fran Merida today revealed he wants to stay at Arsenal and backed the club's fearless young guns to lift the Carling Cup.
The 19-year-old midfielder scored a superb opener from 20 yards as Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 last night to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Spanish side Levante had a loan bid for Merida rejected in the summer while Atletico Madrid are understood to be monitoring the situation as his contract runs out at the end of the season. But the Spaniard (pictured above celebrating his goal) said: "At the moment I am talking to the club so I don't know what will happen. Hopefully, everything is going to be all right but we are going to sit down and talk about it. I am really happy here and things are going okay. I am really happy in London, too, so we will see what happens."
With only Premier League sides remaining in the competition, Arsenal are likely to face another big test in the quarter-finals with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham among their potential opponents. But Merida said the hard-fought victory over Liverpool proves the Gunners have nothing to fear when the draw is made on Saturday afternoon.
He said: “It was my first goal for the club so I am really happy, especially as we won against a really tough team.
“The young players get a chance to play in the Carling Cup and we have to prove as individuals and as a team that we can play. Last night we did that. We know it will be a tough cup because there are some strong teams left and we will probably get one of those. We proved last night that we can beat anyone but we have to keep our feet on the floor and keep working hard.”
In the previous two seasons, Arsenal have been knocked out of the competition on their travels. Last December, Arsene Wenger's side were beaten 2-0 at Burnley while the season before they were hammered 5-1 at Tottenham.
However, Merida said: “It shouldn't be a problem if we are drawn away. Last year, we lost away and maybe that's why people think we are not as strong away but I think we can win away and at home. But obviously at the Emirates, the people help us and we make pressure and it is harder for opponents to beat us. There is no one to fear but it is going to be really tough so we will see who we get next.”
Emiliano Insua's brilliant volley cancelled out Merida's strike before Nicklas Bendtner scored the winner just after half‑time. However, Liverpool were denied the prospect of extra-time when referee Alan Wiley waved away penalty appeals after Philippe Senderos blocked Alberto Aquilani's shot with his hands.
Reds striker Dirk Kuyt said: “We should have had a penalty. I thought he didn't protect his face but rolled his hands next to his face and he touched it with his hands.”
Reader views (13)
There are people in the world who are too blinkered to see right from wrong. Fanaticism is a disease. It numbs the brain from anything different from its strain of thought. There is no need to argue with people who are fanatical. I know Arsenal is the best run club in the Premiership, if not in Europe ofr the world. It runs purely on its profits. The youth programme is second to none. West Ham used to be the best but Arsenal has overtaken them in the last five years. Arsenal, under Arsene Wenger, is the best run club, the reason he is voted the BEST EVER FOOTBALL MANAGER ENGLISH FOOTBALL HAS HAD.
- Sorie Kamara 'Kamsoman', LONDON, UK
"Still, most of 'em will be forgot about and moved on to other clubs, just like those that got to the final against Chelsea"
Walcott, Diaby, Fabergas, Traore and Denilson....50% of the outfield team are still there. Oh dear Mike, you just can't get it right, can you? By all means slag Arsenal but get your facts right.
- Gaz, london
Yes Mike it's all hype - yawn. Afterall, 2/3 of last night's team were under 20 and no they don't have plenty of experience as you claim. Once again selective statistics from someone who hasn't got a clue. The only two players out there with over 50 first team games under his belt were Bendtner and Senderos. Yeah loads of experience. Each season we put out a blend of youth and reserve / fringe players and for the last 7 years we have reach the QF's, the SF 4 times and the final once.
May be some will be sold on but at least they have sell-on value having been put in the shop window at the highest level. Brady was quoted as saying that the academy has realised GBP 50m in sell-on fees. Match that.
Stop knocking stuff you know nothing about.
- Mark, Loughton
This was an old team compared to some that AW has put out. Most under 20, only Silvestre being what you could call a veteran player
- Simon, Potters Bar
Being a Kid has to do with age, not experience- Like Gaz say here!
You call an under 20 person a KID in football, dear Mike!
Other teams have young players, but scarcely play a CL or PL game on an avegare age of 23.5 (hence Arsenal being referred to as a young team).
So they are not kids, if they move to another club?!
And still waiting for you to introduce the other team with so may young players; i.e. kids! It ain't Man U, it ain't Chelsea, nor Liverpool!
- Craig, Guildford
Gaz. You just don't get it do you? If you call these kids then most squads have kids in theirs, yes? So, why aren't the media talking about other clubs?
Last night was the Carling Cup and you only use the young uns for that.
Media hype about the Arsenal "young kids" that will be forgotten about in two years time. Most will move on like I said before.
- Mike Patton, London
People forget that Nasri and Bendtner are both 21. Hardly experienced pro's even though they have played a lot.
- Warsame, Oslo,
20 and over is not a young gun. So half the team was, so what.
The minute the "young guns" lose the Arsenal supporters will be saying "..it's our youth team" or something similar.
If they are good enough, they are old enough and the expression "young guns" flatters to deceive.
- Ramalamadingdong, Broxbourne
Hype is all it is Craig.
It's not only age but most of those players I've mentioned have plenty of experience so why the "kids" tag? Many clubs have young players but the media doesn't go ape about them!
Still, most of 'em will be forgot about and moved on to other clubs, just like those that got to the final against Chelsea. You can't keep caling them kids forever!
People believe anything if you tell them enough.
- Mike Patton, London
Mike Patton; are you numerate? Senderous is 24, Nasri 22, Fabianski 24, Bentdner 21, Gilbert 20 ...Gibbs, Ramsey, Eastwood, Merida, Sanchez Watt and Coquelin are teenagers. They're called Young Guns coz they're....er young. Not hype,simple mathematics.
- Gaz, london
Bendner: 21, Nasri 21, fabianski:24, Senderos 24, Even Eduardo:25
Gilbert, Merida, Eastmond, Gibbs, Watt, Randall, Coquelin ALL UNDER 20
The Entire Bench: Under 20 (most under 19)
NOW YOU UNDERSTAND THE HYPE MIKE?!
Tell me the team that is remotely close to using so many young players?
- Craig, Guildford
Sorry but young guns?
Fabianski, Silvestre, Senderos, Nasri, Bendtner, Eduardo.
Will the media stop pandering to the Arsenal hype?
- Mike Patton, London
Dirk Kuyt says they should have had a penalty. When he blatantly fouled an Arsenal player in the CL and even the referee later acceptred it was a sending off, Kuyt was the only one in the world claiming it was not a penalty!He has zero credibility!
It's Simple: Hand to ball: Penalty,
Ball to hand: NOT penalty,
You lost to a bunch of young kids, who outplayed you, so be brave, and take it on the chin con man Kuyt!
- Alan, Guildford
