Arsenal teenager Fran Merida has set his sights on regular first-team football at Emirates Stadium after revealing he turned down the chance of a loan move to Spain with Levante.

The 19-year-old Spain youth international joined the Gunners from Barcelona's academy in September 2005 - a move which proved controversial and resulted in legal action taken against the player for compensation.

Since then, Merida has looked to gain experience at Real Sociedad before returning to Arsenal and making his Barclays Premier League debut.

After impressing in the pre-season Emirates Cup and coming off the bench in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth last month, Merida hopes this can be his breakthrough campaign and intends to "repay the faith" shown by manager Arsene Wenger.

"I am 100% staying," Merida said on the club's official website. "It is true that I had an option to go out on loan. But I, 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."