Fran Merida’s agent has thrown Arsenal’s Champions League preparations (Arsenal 1/5, draw 11/2, AZ Alkmaar 12/1 match bets) into disarray by revealing his client would be open to a  transfer to Atletico Madrid.

The young Spaniard caught the eye with his performance in the Carling Cup (Arsenal 6/1 Carling Cup outright prices) win over Liverpool last week and is tipped for a future with the Premier League title-chasers.

Reports in his homeland have suggested Atletico president Enrique Cerezo wants to take the teenager back to Spain and agent Joseba Diaz refused to nip the speculation in the bid.

“We have an offer from Arsenal but Fran Merida has an ‘illness’, for want of a better word, and that is Atletico Madrid and you can’t do anything about that,” Diaz said in the Daily Mail.

Tomas Rosicky will return when Arsenal attempt to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League against AZ Alkmaar at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

However, striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin), goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski (thigh), Theo Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) remain out.

Arsenal team (from): Almunia, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Gallas, Sagna, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, van Persie, Eduardo, Mannone, Eboue, Ramsey, Senderos, Nasri, Rosicky, Silvestre.