Arsenal hope to gain Vela permit

turbo_drift SG

Arsenal have applied for a work permit for their Mexican striker Carlos Vela, who has been on loan with Osasuna.

Vela, 19, signed for Arsenal from Guadalajara in November 2005 but was not eligible to play in this country.

He was farmed out to Celta Viga and Salamanca in Spain before joining Osasuna for the whole of last season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told his club's website: "We have applied for a permit for him and he will be involved with the first team next season."

Vela was snapped up by Arsenal after winning the golden boot as top scorer at the 2005 Fifa Under-17 championships.

He signed a five-year deal for a fee that could eventually rise to over £2m and Wenger is keen to bring him into his squad and bolster his attacking options.

"Carlos has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left-wing and he had to work hard there," Wenger added.

"But for me it is not his position. He is a central striker, an Eduardo type."

BrUtUs SG

looks like wenger will not buy a striker liao....

SiMiLaiEh* SG

latest got permit liao..cfm come back..hes even betta than ade..can check out youtube

798 SG

looks like wenger will not buy a striker liao....

but tis Vela is really good n he can play as left winger as well. but not so sure whether he is injuries prone or not.

come to think of it, arsenal have more than 5 strikers already - Adebayor, RVP, Bendtner, Dudu, Walcott, Vela. signing another one will force us selling off someone.

but one striker good to sign is David Villa.

bryanw SG

but tis Vela is really good n he can play as left winger as well. but not so sure whether he is injuries prone or not.

come to think of it, arsenal have more than 5 strikers already - Adebayor, RVP, Bendtner, Dudu, Walcott, Vela. signing another one will force us selling off someone.

but one striker good to sign is David Villa.

dudu hard 2 say if will be back to the same standard. adebayor taico goals.rvp injured easily. walcott 2 young. bendtner subsitute striker. no world class strikers like henry

798 SG

dudu hard 2 say if will be back to the same standard. adebayor taico goals.rvp injured easily. walcott 2 young. bendtner subsitute striker. no world class strikers like henry

dat's why i'm looking forward wat vela can offer to the squad next season.

i think dudu can come back stronger but he may have to sit on the bench cos we have too much strikers.

adebayor has achieved like wat henry did in his second season by scoring more than 20 goals, who know he might transform to world class next season?

walcott's rate of scoring is the worse but he can pass well, so most likely wenger will deploy him as right winger or replace him on hleb's position.

bendtner still need some experience n i afraid he need to go on loan to gain more experience as we really have too much players as strikers.

rvp.... too injuries-prone liao, worse than last season but he can provide good pass. so maybe wenger should use him as winger.

bryanw SG

we need superstars not those half fuck strikers then wait for time to mould them

798 SG

we do have superstar like RVP but does he deliver at all? when he was injured, we had done pretty well without him.

having superstar can also affect the team's morale if he behaving like big shot (late for training, condemning his team-mate).

remember there were time when players who live under the shadow of henry? it's only henry left which made the players stronger than ever.

bear in mind that we r not richer club like spurs who spent big. we definitely do not wish to land up like leeds united one day when in hugh debt.

bryanw SG

i agree arsenal not a rich club n we moved stadium. but this cant b an excuse forever.if no trophies next season then start blaming ref decisions, injuries, young age, not enough experience. every club goes thru this especially ref decisions and injuries. is it fair for the fans no trophy?

glacer SG

The Mexican forward was signed in 2005 by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, but has been unable to commence his Premier League career due to FIFA regulations regarding work permits.

As a result, the 19-year-old has been sent on loan spells with Spanish clubs Salamanca, Celta Vigo and Osasuna, for whom he has impressed.

And with Wenger keen to strengthen his attacking options, Vela has finally received clearance to play in England and only awaits the arrival of his passport before setting off to join the Arsenal squad in July.

"Despite the critics that we have received for making Carlos play at Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna, these spells have been very important for preparing for life in the Premier League," said Vela's agent Eduardo Hernandez.

"His time in Spain has now come to a close and he is just waiting for his passport.

"He has worked the amount of time required by the Premier League and everything is going fine.

"He has been granted permission to play and will be joining Arsenal in July for the beginning of pre-season training.

"Many people have criticised us for the way this process has been handled but the laws of Fifa and the rules of competition in some countries have meant that we have experienced some problems.

"But they are over now and a new chapter in his career can begin.

BrUtUs SG

hope he will bring us glory next season...

glacer SG

The Mexican forward signed for the Gunners in 2005, but was blocked from playing in England due to FIFA’s strict rules regarding work permits.

Consequently, the 19-year-old has spent the last three seasons on loan in Spain, enduring stints with Salamanca, Celta Vigo and most recently Osasuna.

And after impressing in La Liga, the ex-Guadalajara youngster has been belatedly granted permission to join the Arsenal squad, which he will do this July for pre-season training.

Vela is thrilled to finally get his opportunity to crack the Premier League, and believes his time in Spain has provided the required grounding to help him succeed in the world’s most popular league.

Dream

“I’ve been waiting two years for a work permit,” Vela said. “Now my dream has come true.

“I have to take advantage of this opportunity to stay in England. I hope I’m lucky enough to be at Arsenal for a long time.

“I’ve achieved a lot in Spain. It has been a useful experience to play for several different teams and move around.

“At Osasuna I had a difficult experience because of the relegation battle but I always had a place in the team. I played well all season. But I expect to have a much better season next year.

“I’m sure all my efforts will pay off. I’ll be playing in one of the best teams in the world that plays competitions like the Champions League - I want those games as soon as possible.

“I have changed a lot, I’m more mature as a person and player. I feel ready for Arsenal.”