Wenger confirms Vela return
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mexican forward Carlos Vela will be part of the Arsenal first-team squad next season and that the club have already applied for a work permit.
“We have applied for a work permit for him now, and he will be involved with the first-team next season.
Wenger has also been quick to suggest that he sees Vela more as a striker, rather than a left-winger, where he has regularly played whilst on loan at Osasuna.
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.
Quotes from arsenal.com
In terms of the other Arsenal loanees currently at foreign clubs, Fran Merida looks like being the only other player who will return to the Gunners in the summer. Pedro Botelho is set to spend another season at Salamanca, whilst Vincent van den Berg is likely to be released when his loan spell at Go Ahead Eagles comes to an end.
In other news, goalkeeper Vito Mannone will miss the first reserve game of next season through suspension after his dismissal against Aston Villa recently.
May 15, 2008 at 4:33 pm
From what wenger has said it looks like he is leaving the door open for a left winger to come in. Hopefully Ben Arfa
May 15, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Pedro should go on loan to a primera league side next year like how Vela did, that will improve him more then staying with secunda division side salamanca.
May 15, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Wenger knows!!!Carlos Vela is very good and we hope for the best next season.But our problem is not in midffield neither upfront but defence.Please wenger sign 2 natural defenders.We shall burry them!!!!!
May 15, 2008 at 5:04 pm
woah getting a lil crowded up front innit?
May 15, 2008 at 5:26 pm
i’m glad we still have prospective players on loan….the likes of Flamini who have left us because of being money angry will look on while we get the silverware next season.
I don’t want to be a prophet of doom but for sure, any player who’s left Arsene like that has regrets to tell…you heard what Anelka said?
hahahahaha….till then
May 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Oh yah, i also see our future in this boy.
May 15, 2008 at 6:13 pm
strikers galore! Vela and walcott will rule the world!
May 15, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I love to see Vela back in the team, he has been wonderful on loan, but with Wenger eyeing another striker (Hopefully Villa) and with Ade, Nicklas, Vampire and Eduardo, will this young chap play?
May 15, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Maybe Pedro is only ready for the level of football played at salamanca? Competitive football at a lower level might make for better player development than warming their backside on the bench or reserve games for a higher level club?
May 15, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Things are starting to buzz. Can’t wait to see what Le Patron has up his sleeve for us. For those despondent ones I say “Do not fear O yea of little faith”……..All will be revealed and soon!!!
May 16, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Praise GOD. AT LAST we have gotten a player back but wenger strengthens our defence abegooooo