Carlos Vela: biography

A look at the career of Arsenal’s Mexico international Carlos Vela. After signing for the Gunners, the international spent time on loan in Spain before settling down in England. A specialist at chipping the ball over the goalkeeper, the striker won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico in 2009.

On Loan in Spain

Carlos Vela was signed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as a teenager from Mexican club Guadalajara in 2005. The youngster was loaned out to Spanish clubs Salamanca and Osasuna in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons respectively because English work permit restrictions prevented him from playing in the Premier League. He scored three goals for Osasuna in the Spanish First Division where he caught the eye with his trickery and ability to produce assists for team-mates. In May 2008 Vela was finally granted a work permit to play in England and began his career with Arsenal.

A New Life In England

After making his debut for the club as a substitute in the Premier League win over Newcastle United in August 2008, Vela scored his first goals for the Gunners in his full debut the following month. The Mexico international scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United in a 6-0 League Cup victory at the Emirates Stadium. The striker, whose first Premier League goal came against Portsmouth in 2009, has not impressed Wenger sufficiently enough to earn a regular place in the team, mainly restricted to a spot on the substitutes’ bench. Vela has predominantly featured in the League Cup, a competition Wenger uses to give young players experience. Vela’s goals-to-games ratio is nonetheless impressive and he has demonstrated a cool head in front of goal during his time at the Emirates. He particularly likes to chip the ball over the goalkeeper and has scored several goals of this type, notable against Sheffield United, Burnley and Fulham. In January 2011 the player agreed to join West Bromwich Albion on loan for the remainder of the season in the hope of playing more regularly.

International Career

A 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Championship winner with Mexico, Vela has also represented his country at the 2010 World Cup, having made his full debut against Brazil in 2007. He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico in 2009, having a hand in three goals and scoring another as his team beat the USA 5-0 in the final. Together with the likes of Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos, Vela is one of a number of young players Mexico hope will make them a major international force over the next few years.