Carlos Vela Biography

Name :
Carlos Vela

Born :
March 01, 1989

Birth place :
Cancun, Mexico

Height :
178cm / 5 ft 10 in

Weight :
72 Kg

Position :
Striker

Squad Number :
11

Previous Club(s) :
West Brom (loan)
Osasuna (loan)
Celta Vigo (loan)
Guadalajara

Joined Arsenal :
January 01, 2008

2007/08
Carlos spent his first season as an Arsenal player on loan at La Liga side Osasuna as he had yet to be granted a work permit to play in England. He was a regular in the Spanish side, scoring three goals in 32 appearances.

Much to the delight of Arsène Wenger he was given a work permit in May." Vela will be involved with the first-team next season. 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."

2008/09
Carlos made his debut for in an Arsenal shirt against Newcastle on August 30 at Emirates Stadium, when he came on as a substitute for Robin van Persie.

In his full debut for the Club, Carlos couldn't have wished for a better start as he introduced himself to Arsenal fans with bang, scoring a hat-trick against Sheffield United on September 23 in a 6–0 Carling Cup win.

At the end of February he expressed his delight about his development. "I'm very happy, in my mind things keep improving. I'm more relaxed here now, and I think I have improved a lot from playing against teams at the top level here in England. It's always difficult coming from a different league and having to acclimatise but I feel that things are going well."

The Mexican scored his Premier League goal at Fratton Park on May 2, taking his tally to six goals in all competitions during his debut season in England.

2009/10
A string of niggling injuries meant Carlos only started six times for Arsenal during the 2009/10 season.

When he did play he struggled at times to have an impact but without a chance to get a consistent run of games under his belt that was no surprise.

Always eager to take the positives, the Mexican striker insisted he had learned a lot and will be a better player because of his troubles.

The first of his two goals for the season came against West Brom in the Carling Cup and he also netted on the final day of the Premier League season against Fulham.

He also played twice for Mexico as they reached the last 16 of the World Cup