Carlos Vela's Profile

Name: Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido
Club: Arsenal FC
D.O.B: March 1st 1989
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 72kg
Position: Striker, Second Striker

After spending the last couple of seasons on loan in Spain, young Mexican starlet Carlos Vela can finally be unleashed in the Premier League after being granted a work permit, which cleared him to play for Arsenal for the coming season. The 19-year-old striker’s route to North London has not been without fault and he has been waiting a long time for his chance in the Gunners’ first team, and the Arsenal faithful will certainly be hoping he can take it.

Starting Out

Carlos Vela was born on March 1st 1989, in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. He is the younger brother of current Cruz Azul striker Alejandro Vela. Carlos learned a great deal from his brother as a youngster, and followed him into football by signing for Chivas de Guadalajara when he was just 12 years old.

Having never played a first team game for the club, Vela was thrust into the spotlight after being selected for Mexico’s U-17 World Championship squad to play in Peru along with fellow rising star Giovani Dos Santos. This tournament proved to be a life changing one for Vela, as he ended up with the Golden Boot award after his five goals helped Mexico to lift the trophy, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final, in which Vela scored. This tournament showed the world Vela’s raw pace and clinical finishing, and in less than a month, the young striker had become a name for the future.

Vela has always been known as being very close to his family, and as the World Championship final fell on the same day as his father’s birthday, the young forward decided to dedicate his golden boot award to his father, giving it to him as a present.

After the World Championships, his club Guadalajara decided to offer him a professional contract, and as a condition of the contract, Vela insisted that his family were relocated from the then-storm-stricken town of Cancun. Jorge Vergara, President of the club, agreed, and Vela signed on professional terms with the Jalisco based side.

After some excellent performances in the Guadalajara reserves, Vela began attracting massive interest from a host of European giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Inter Milan. Arsenal were also on the trail of the young Mexican marksman, and in November 2005, the London based club faxed through an offer of £2.5m, which the Mexican side duly accepted. After passing a medical and agreeing a five year contract with the Gunners, all Vela and Arsenal had to do now was obtain a work permit for him, however, this would not prove so easy. His application for a work permit was rejected as he had not reached the required number of games for the national side, and his application for an ‘Exceptional Talent’ visa was also rejected by the Home Office. The Gunners appealed the decision, but in vain and finally agreed that Vela should be taken on loan by a Spanish club, until he had EU citizenship.

El Camino

Arsenal had recently formed a link with then Spanish La Liga side Celta de Vigo, and Vela was sent on loan there for the remainder of the 2005/2006 season. He failed to make much impact during his time with Celta and did not play a single game in the five months he was there. Celta planned to take Vela on loan again for the following season, but pulled out of the deal as they were restricted by a law on non Spanish players. The loan and link with Celta was cancelled and Arsenal looked for another club to take him on loan for the 2006/2007 season.

UD Salamanca of the Spanish Segunda were chosen and after a very brief settling in period, Vela became a regular in the side, scoring 8 goals in 31 games, and becoming a fan favourite in the process.

Even after the year and a half Vela had spent in Spain, EU regulations and British Work Permit laws still restricted him from becoming an EU citizen.

After his impressive displays in the Spanish Segunda playing for Salamanca, Vela had attracted massive interest from some La Liga sides including UD Levante, Real Betis, Osasuna and UD Almeria, who all made loan offers for the youngster.

In the summer of 2007, Vela agreed a one year loan switch to La Liga side Osasuna, and had an option of a one year extension to the deal, but no permanent deal was put in place, as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger seemed desperate to keep hold of the talent he knew Vela had.

The season started well for Vela with Osasuna, with his impressive displays earning praise from the Spanish media, and this media attention was increased when he scored his first goal for the club against Real Betis in a La Liga league game in October 2007. The goal displayed Vela’s strengths as he played a neat one two with a teammate and with a smart, powerful finish with his educated left foot into the top corner of the goal, Vela put his side 2-0 up in an eventual 3-0 win. The young Mexican had begun to make his talent known on the big stage.

He followed that goal up with smart finishes against Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, showing that he had skill and patience to match his raw talent and pace. He finished the season with Osasuna with 3 goals in a very healthy 33 appearances for the club, in turn giving him invaluable experience in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.

Lessons Learned

Speaking to Arsenal’s club website in the summer of 2008, Vela reflected on a successful learning curve in Spain, saying, “It has helped me, first of all it taught me what it was like being away from your home country - that helped me grow up as a person and as a player. I think that the Spanish and English style of football is the best in the world. I think also that playing against the best players in the world can only help me grow as a player. The whole experience was a big lesson for me. I think that I achieved the targets I had there because I had more minutes on the pitch and gained more experience.”

His first team international career was also kick started with his displays in Spain’s top division, and he made his debut for the Mexican first team in September 2007 in a friendly against Brazil. His first international goal came against Guatemala in a friendly in Los Angeles a month later. Since then, Vela has made 5 further appearances for his country, and now has a goal scoring tally of 4 goals in 7 games, an impressive statistic for someone still learning his trade on the big stage.

Vela returned to Arsenal in the summer of 2008, and has started pre season training with the first team, after finally being granted a work permit on the 22nd May. Arsene Wenger has likened Vela’s playing style to that of current Arsenal star Eduardo, and commented on the Mexican’s talents by telling the club’s website, “He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there, but for me it is not his position, he is a central striker, an Eduardo type. He is a great young player.”

Vela also spoke to the club’s website, expressing his delight at finally being able to play for the club by saying, “I am very proud to finally be here and I am truly very happy, I have been waiting three years for this moment and now I am here I will work very hard to earn my place in the first-team and I hope to be at this club for a very long time.”

Arsene Wenger has publically said that Vela, who has been given the number 12 shirt, will be part of his first team plans for the coming season, and Gunners’ fans will hope he can reach the high standards set by the likes of Thierry Henry, Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp, and eventually go on to achieve legendary status at the club.

Vela sets lofty target

Carlos Vela has set his sights on winning the Premier League title in his first season at Arsenal.

The Mexican has been on Arsenal’s books for three years, but they were forced to farm him out on loan due to work permit issues.

The 19-year-old flourished in Spain and Gunners chief Arsene Wenger brought him back to North London as soon as he was given the green light by the home office.

Arsenal have come up short in recent seasons, but the green shoots of recovery were in evidence last term and Vela is keen to take the club back to the summit.

”I believe that this team can do very well and I think that we can compete for the title,” said Vela.

”I am hopeful that when this season is over we can look back and be satisfied with what we achieve.”

Vela: I'll be a warrior for Gunners

As he prepares to begin his Premier League career in North London, Mexico starlet Carlos Vela has pledged to be a ‘warrior’ for Arsenal next season.

The 19-year-old was first captured by The Gunners after finishing as top scorer in the 2005 Fifa Under-17 Word Cup but had to spend successive spells in Spain with Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna before finally being awarded a work permit in May.

Anticipation is building amongst Arsenal fans as Vela is a deeply promising talent who has scored twice in two senior World Cup qualifiers for his country and caught the eye for Osasuna last season as he made 33 appearances in Spain’s Primera Liga.

Arsene Wenger has hinted that he expects Vela to become a player in the Eduardo da Silva mould in the long term, and the Mexican is certainly ready to make an impact in his first season in England.

“I have a lot of character and pride as a footballer and I am not arriving scared of The Premier League,” Vela told news agency Notimex.

“I want to be a warrior for The Gunners.

“I am a humble person and I will arrive at Arsenal to learn and help the team. I am very happy for this opportunity and I do not want to fail.

“My stay in Spain was key to make the jump to The Premier League. Now I am more mature and strong on the pitch.

“For me, Spain and England are the best leagues in the world. Now I hope to apply my experiences to Arsenal.

“My mission is to work, train hard and fight for a place in the squad. I know that is not easy but the season is long and I will have chances.”

Along with Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri, Vela is the third young player joining Arsenal’s first team squad for the coming season and the Mexican is excited about the prospect of working under Wenger and alongside Cesc Fabregas.

“Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world and a perfect master for young players,” Vela added. “This is my big advantage and the motive to sign for Arsenal and to reject other big offers.

“Spain was a just winner of Euro 2008 and Cesc Fabregas was sensational. For me he is my idol and it will be a great experience to work next to him in the squad.

“I hope he will help me in the first months.”

However, there is one aspect of the move to England that has been troubling Vela, as the young forward admits he is struggling to learn the native tongue.

“During the summer I have been having English lessons. Now it is my big problem because I only know a few words but I hope to learn very quickly. It will be a necessity and obligation for me.”

Vela on target for Mexico

Carlos Vela warmed up for his Premier League debut with Arsenal next season by scoring his second international goal in a 4-0 win for Mexico over Peru.

There are high expectations in North London for the 19-year-old who spent successive loan spells at Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna before winning a work permit to begin his career in England, and his growing reputation was enhanced again in the early hours of Monday morning.

Vela notched Mexico’s third goal in Chicago as they responded to a 4-1 defeat to Argentina last week by dishing out a hammering of their own to impress new manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

Fernando Arce put Mexico ahead after only five minutes with a header at the back post and Andres Guardado made it two after eight minutes when converting from a cross.

Vela bagged his second goal in five games for his country when, after 20 minutes, he took advantage of a defensive mix-up from the Peruvians to roll the ball home.

Arce claimed a second to wrap up the scoring inside half an hour in a highly-satisfactory day’s work for caretaker Jesus Ramirez.

Former Manchester City boss Eriksson will take charge of the country following the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Belize later in June.

Carlos Vela has been awarded a work permit to play for Arsenal

Carlos Vela has been awarded a work permit to play for Arsenal and will join The Gunners for pre-season training in July, according to his agent.

Expectation is building amongst Arsenal fans as the 2005 Fifa Under-17 Championship top scorer prepares to arrive in North London and now his agent, Eduardo Hernandez, has confirmed that the forward has the necessary documentation to begin work in England, even if a Spanish passport is still in the pipeline.

“Besides the critics that he have had for making Carlos play at Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna it has been very important for preparing him to arrive in The Premier League,” said Hernandez.

“In Spain a moment of his career gets closed, now he is waiting for his [Spanish] passport.

“He has worked the time that The Premier League requires, everything is going on fine.

“He has his work permission so Carlos will be joining Arsenal in July to begin pre-season work.”

Vela will be a hit in Arsenal says Walcott

Theo Walcott believes Arsene Wenger will add to his squad this summer, but highlighted one player already contracted to the club who could make a major impact next season.

Mexican winger Carlos Vela is due to return to Arsenal this summer following two years spent in Spain on loan, first with Salamanca and then Osasuna, and Walcott is excited by the potential of the 19-year-old.

Walcott told Arsenal TV: "There may be a few players coming in and we will have Carlos Vela coming back so he will be a nice player to work with.

"Carlos is a very quick player - a left winger - and he will definitely fit into the squad. We have got plenty of flair players.”

A disappointing finale may have coloured opinion of Arsenal’s season, but Walcott believes The Gunners should consider this season a work in progress.

"We started the season brilliantly and you look back at some results and think we could have done things differently. But no-one expected us to do this well.

"We are getting experience this year and can take a number of positives from this season.

"We are all getting to know each other's strengths and will hopefully take that into next year."

Arsenal Want Carlos Vela Back

Eduardo Hernandez claims that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been impressed with how the 19-year-old Mexican forward has developed during his season-long loan with Osasuna, and is eager to have him add to his options for next season.

"I haven't talk with the Gunners representative yet, but I know that they want Carlos back as soon as possible," said the agent.

"Carlos has the chance to return to Arsenal in August. He only wants to play. He knows that the opportunity will come sooner or later as he has a contract with Arsenal.

"This is something very important for him. Every player wants to be part of such a good side. Carlos is very excited about it, but we will have to wait until June to end the story."

Vela, who was named by the Sun as one of the 20 young players to watch in 2008, signed permanently for Arsenal at the beginning of 2007, but is yet to make a single appearance for the club due to work permit complications.