Arsene Wenger has indicated his plan to use Carlos Vela as Arsenal's fourth striker next season while Eduardo continues his rehabilitation from his horrific broken leg.
The 19-year-old Vela has spent the current season on loan at Spanish side Osasuna but Arsenal have signalled their intention to use him as a first-team player next season by applying for a work permit. Should that application be successful, the youngster is set for a prominent role at the club.
"He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there," remarked Arsene Wenger. "But for me it is not his position he is a central striker, an Eduardo type."
With Eduardo unlikely to return before January, Arsenal have been linked this week with a move for Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez. However, Wenger has limited funds to spend this summer, and with defenders and midfielders his priority, the promotion of Vela would be a cost-effective solution while also offering hope to Eduardo that he hasn't been written out of the Frenchman's plans for 2008/09.
Your Comments
1trugooner
"vela is absolutely brill!future strik partners him nd walcott!..an i hope arsena buys nasri just imagine him an fabregas in d middl 2getr?!wat a pair!..n cum on mr.wenger put in a bid 4 dunne hes exactly wat arsenal need at d back hes powerful strong in d air an hes quick 2!"
GoonerFazz
"we need VILLA, not Vela!"
thecremster
"Wenger needs to sell Bendtner as he is pants. not good enough for a top four side"
HyperGoon
"Wenger already said that he sees Vela mainly as a Striker rather then out on the left wing so Ben Arfa could still be on his way to the Emirates!"
KingKev
"Will do well for the gooners If he's only half as good as he is on Football Manager!!"
yasir
"vela iz obviously a very talented player but he might be more like walcott than eduardo as theo operates on the right wing , he iz similar on the left."
sangoman
"Thank god Arsenal are atleast being linked with exciting players now. I know chances of - Ben Afra, Mario Gomez, Oba Martins an Micah Richads landing up at Ashburton Grove are slim......but still a pleasent change from all our players being linked out. "
albaross
"can't wait. began wondering who he was about 3 football managers ago then saw him at an under 20 world cup and thought 'hmmm, i hope le prof uses him at some point.' saw quite a lot of him out wide this season, he still looked like a striker, cutting in and showing lots of movement, skill and composure in the central areas coming off the left. as i said, i can't wait... i'd like to see ben arfa too but we'll see."
HyperGoon
"Hooray! Been waiting 3 years to see this guy play football in the Premiership. I'm so glad he's finally going to get a chance in the Arsenal first team and the timing couldn't be any better with poor Eduardo still sidelined with injury. Looks like Walcott is set for another season on the right wing though. I hope he starts in front of Eboue next season though!"
John_Matrix
"Looking forward to seeing if Vela can match the hype about his skills. It would be great if he comes in as an impact sub this season like Theo last season. "
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