Former Arsenal midfielder Fran Mérida completed a move to Club Deportivo Lugo in the winter market.
The 33-year-old has already made his debut for the third division Spanish club. He’s also been speaking to the local media and his quotes are relayed by La Voz de Galicia.
Mérida started at Barcelona’s academy and then moved to Arsenal in 2005. He spent two years with the Gunners’ youth team before being promoted to the first team when Arsène Wenger was in charge at the north London club.
La Voz de Galicia points out the English club were forced to pay €3.2m compensation to Barcelona for this deal. When told his move to Arsenal was ‘controversial’, the Spaniard had a different take.
“I was almost 16 years old and the memories are anything but controversial,” he said.
“I remember my parents being very nervous because it was a very abrupt change for me and for the family in general, but also very excited because the doors of what I had always dreamed of were opening for me. The Arsenal train was the most beautiful and exciting that has ever happened to me in my life.
Mérida spent three years with Arsenal’s first team but wasn’t able to hold on to a place there.
He scored two goals and registered two assists from 16 games for the Premier League side’s senior team, including a goal and an assist in the Gunners’ League Cup win over Liverpool in 2009.
When asked to describe his time in London, Mérida explained: “Like a life experience. People mainly ask me about Arsenal and the Premier League.
“It was fortunate to be able to spend four years in one of the best clubs in the world, but I go further and I also greatly appreciate that I came back from there knowing another language, getting to know another culture and with a more open mind. In terms of sport, I also learned a lot, so it is a place and a club that will be in my heart for life.”
