Carlos Vela

Profile:

• Name: Carlos Vela
• Born: March 01, 1989 Cancun, Mexico
• Position: Striker
• Squad Number: 11
• Previous Club(s): Guadalajara, Osasuna, Celta Vigo
• Joined Arsenal: January 01, 2008

A succession of superb performances at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2005 convinced Arsenal to pay £125,000 for the Mexican forward, and although he has shown flashes of genius, the onus is very much on Vela to demonstrate he is a valuable first-team member after inheriting Robin van Persie's No. 11 shirt at Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2010-11 season.

Vela was playing for Guadalajara when, at the age of 16, he won the Golden Boot at the youth tournament in Peru. After moving quickly to sign the striker, Arsenal were unable to immediately secure a work permit so Vela spent the next two-and-a-half years in Spain, experiencing spells with Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna.

He secured the necessary documentation to begin his Arsenal career prior to the start of the 2008-09 season and shot into the limelight when scoring a hat-trick on his full debut against Sheffield United. His second goal in the 6-0 Carling Cup rout was a cheeky chip over Paddy Kenny - an expert finish that was to become his trademark.

But Vela has only demonstrated sporadic glimpses of his talent in North London. His input has largely come from the substitutes' bench and his impact during the 2009-10 season was restricted by injuries. However, he ended the campaign with another lobbed finish, this time against Fulham's Mark Schwarzer, and played a prominent role in Mexico's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Strengths: Pacy and alert, Vela is at his best when breaking through on goal and his confidence and composure is demonstrated by a succession of impudent finishes.

Weaknesses: Vela needs to be more clinical as he is prone to missing excellent chances. He also struggles to impose himself on games and his link-up play could improve.

Career high: Representing Mexico at the 2010 World Cup as Javier Aguirre's side reached the second round before being beaten by Argentina.

Career low: Missing out on Arsenal's Champions League trip to Barcelona in April 2010 after reportedly misplacing his passport.

Style: Inventive, audacious, direct, a predatory striker.

Quotes: "What he needs is to be injury free and get a good run of games. He is a very talented player who is maturing now. When you are 17, 18 it is easy. At 20 you realise it is not as easy as it looks. He has gone through that stage now and I am confident he will do well." Arsene Wenger, February 2010.

Trivia: His elder brother Alejandro represents leading Mexican club Cruz Azul. In his native land Carlos is known as 'El Bombardero'.

Source: Soccernet