Carlos Vela is a striker who joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old. He is a speedy and technical gifted forward with a good eye for goal. Carlos spent the early years of his Gunners’ career in loan spells in Europe and it was not until the 2008-09 season that he returned to England.

He made his Premier League debut against Newcastle in August 2008, and soon afterwards netted a Carling Cup hat-trick against Sheffield United. However, he has yet to establish himself in the first team at the Emirates Stadium and although he netted two goals in a Champions’ League win over Braga in September he spent the second half of the 2010-11 campaign on loan to West Bromwich Albion.

He mostly featured from the bench, scoring two vital goals to help avoid relegation for the Baggies. Carlos is due to spend the 2011-12 season on loan in Spain with Real Sociedad. He is a full international for Mexico.

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