Watt targets Carling Cup place | Merida explains decision to stay

As the Gunners tie against West Brom in the Carling Cup looms closer, England U19 international Sanchez Watt has explained how much the Carling Cup run means to the many hopeful youngsters at the club.

Sanchez Watt has progressed rapidly in the last year, from a decent young player to a talented starlet with a big future. In particular the Youth Cup wining run last season saw the leggy forward become one of the stars of the latest generation of Academy graduates with his fantastic work rate and classy finishing becoming vital to his side. Scoring a few goals along the way, he has entered this season with a real chance of getting the nod for the Carling Cup side despite massive competition in the forward ranks and his inclusion ahead of Nacer Barazite and Gilles Sunu for the Emirates Cup could be a hint at a possible selection.

“You have to work hard. Arsène Wenger watches you off the ball too, so you have to be switched on; tactically and mentally.

I hope to be picked but I haven’t got too much word about it. I’m just going to keep on trying and if I get the shout, I’ll try my best.”

With so many youngsters hoping for their opportunity, along with more established squad members looking for games, there will be inevitable disappointment in the Arsenal camp once the team for the tie at the Emirates Stadium has been selected.

“There’s going to be a lot of sad faces. It’s about whoever is hot at that precise moment, and whoever gets that chance to do well.”

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Another player definitely in the mix for a Carling Cup spot is the Spanish midfielder Fran Merida, and today he has given the reasons behind his decision to stay at the club this year rather than try and gain some experience by taking up one of the loan options available to him.

“I am 100 per cent staying. It is true that I had an option to go out on loan but me, the boss, my agent and my family decided that the best thing for me is to stay here.  The boss told me he believes in me and the only thing I can do now is prove it on the pitch and repay that faith.

“My target is to help as much as possible to get trophies. I truly believe we have a fantastic chance. We have started well, we must keep that going because we haven’t done anything yet.”

With the Spaniard staying put and so many players ahead of him for a midfield place for Wenger’s side, the Barcelona-born player will be getting plenty of minutes for the reserve side. He starred in the 4-0 demolition of Birmingham last week and Merida says that he welcomes the chance to turn out for Banfield’s team.

“Everytime you get the chance to play in the Reserves it is good because you keep your match fitness. I know Neil has confidence in me and if he tells me to play for the Reserves I am more than happy.

“Personally it’s just about training hard, taking any chances I am given and doing my best for the team. Hopefully the season can be great for Arsenal.”