Signed as a hot prospect after his exploits with the Mexican Under-17 squad, Carlos Vela is yet to showcase his true abilities as an Arsenal player.
His four years at the North London club have not been encouraging. Appearing mostly in minor cup competitions, Vela has shown flickers of brilliance but is yet to exhibit the consistency that is required to be a success in the Premier League let alone at Arsenal. This is largely down to his lack of opportunities. He is yet to get a continuous run in the first-team that will really enable us to pass a clear judgement on his abilities.
His stats this season are not that bad. In 8 appearances for Arsenal, spread over the Premier League and Champions League, Vela has a tallied up a respectable three goals and one assist. This is impressive given that his appearances have been limited. Lack of game time was one of the reasons for his loan move to West Brom in January.
Carlos Vela and Roy Hodgson came to the club at the same time and since then West Brom have had a fairytale rise to a comfortable mid table position. Vela almost became a fan favourite for the Baggies after he netted the equalising goal against local rivals Wolves in the dying moments. However, since then he has provided an average West Brom side with a touch of flair and creativity.
Vela has two goals and one assist to his name after 8 games for the Baggies this season, and has formed an impressive partnership with Peter Odemwingie and Jerome Thomas that has made a lot of teams fear the West Brom frontline.
Also evident during his spell at West Brom has been his versatility. He has shown that he is comfortable playing anywhere along the frontline, either as a winger, a lone striker, or even playing just behind the main striker. The Mexican is best utilized as a striker though purely because of his pace, movement and composure in front of goal. This will surely be welcomed news for Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman looks to add a natural winger to his squad at the end of the season. Nicklas Bendtner has been wasted out wide this season and looks to be on his way out of the club, surely Vela is a possible solution to Wenger’s wing problem?
What must be considered is Vela’s age. At 22 his best years are ahead of him and Wenger has the task of bringing the best out of him.
If given a long run there is no reason why he shouldn’t become a world-class striker in the future. At the moment it would be absolutely foolish to let go of this kid without giving him a chance to prove himself. Anderlecht, and any other clubs interested in his services this summer, should be strictly told that he is not for sale.
If Vela fulfils the promise he showed early on in his career then he can possibly form two devastating strike partnerships. One with Robin van Persie for Arsenal, and the other with Javier Hernandez for Mexico. Whether Wenger believes Vela’s time is up at Arsenal is solely down to him this summer, personally, I don’t think it is.
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I think he would be could enough to play for Arsenal but I don’t see Wenger giving him a chance. The fact is Wenger is under pressure every season to win trophies, he apparently has said that he (Wenger) has plans, this could mean many different things, lets say brings in experienced players, do you see Vela starting? I don’t think he would start.
As I stated before I would love to see him play for Arsenal, if he doesn’t I wish him the best of luck as he is a quality player.
I really never understood why wenger never played vela because he has impressed me almost all the games I have seen him and seems to have what we severely lack, finishing ability. I think its unfair to judge a person who has never even been given a chance unlike bendtner who hasn’t lit up the premiership when given a chance. Even when last season bendtner and rvp were injured wenger chose arshavin to lead the line. So wenger give the guy a chance like u have given denilson, bendtner, diaby, our favorite keeper almunia (lol), and flappy (fabianski for those of us who are a lil slow)
I’m a fan of Vela’s personally, as mentioned he brings quality finishing to the attack and there have been times this season where we’ve missed a player with that poacher’s instinct. Given that he decided to go on loan to a Prem side rather than a Spanish side as he would have preferred, I reckon he should have another bite at the apple.
IN my mind he has always had more composurein front of the goal then Bendtner. He should have gone to ManU were SAF would have used i=him in a partnership, like he does Chicharito and Rooney. The Guners do not have a striker that can really play up front by himself. It wears on Van Persie. If we had a better defense he would play more. He is yong, has pace and needs to be here especially if Arsahvin and Nick go
With the possible exception of Van Persie Vela was, in my opinion, the best striker Arsenal had.
With Wengers reputation for bringing players on I often wonder what happened to Carlos. He spent a fair amout of time making trips to Mexico and I don`t think that helped him at Arsenal. For me keep him and give him the chances he deserves.
i think that vela should definitely stay at arsenal. with vela on a loan this season, it has shown that the problem lies within the other strikers who have failed to take center stage. chamack and bendter dont have the spark and creativity that vela has shown in his rare appearances. hes quick, versatile, and above all his got the calmness to put the ball in the net with style. this kid should be given a clear chance to show what he is made of.
arsene wenger
is an idiot !
Vela is a superstar player .
Quick , and has such creativity
that A LOT of superstars lack to have .
Him and Van Persie can really
compliment each other such as
Rooney and Chicharito