Despite interest from Real Sociedad, Fran Merida has indicated he expects to stay this season with Arsenal.

"It fills me happiness that I am at Arsenal, a great club and one of the best for young people," Merida told arsenal.com. "I will keep going with what I do best and going into my third season I have the feeling that I want to make it here.

"I haven't had a chance to speak with Arsene Wenger but I have been training with the physio to improve my fitness levels. I don't know if we will sit down and talk next week or the next, but the most important thing is for me to be back working with the team.

"I feel very good and I'm full of enthusiasm for the new season."