The 19-year-old, who arrived from Barcelona's acclaimed youth ranks in 2005, has been capped by Spain at U17, U19, U20 and U21 level, but has so far made just two Premier League outings for Arsene Wenger's outfit.
The diminutive playmaker, who has been tipped to one day succeed current Gunners' skipper Cesc Fabregas at the North London club, has previously spent a loan spell at Spanish side Real Sociedad, where he made 14 appearances.
But despite the youngster recently revealing that he would be prepared to go out on loan again to secure regular action, Merida - who featured for the Gunners in their Emirates Cup triumph at the weekend - says it is his aim to stay and progress in London.
"I don't know anything about my future right now," he told skysports.com.
"I am just training with the first team and I had the chance to play the Emirates Cup. In the next days we will see what is going on.
"I think a success would be to push up in the first team, get some more chances and progress. That is all I can do and I will try my best."
NEWS: Merida braced for second loan spell
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