Dark Days Over For The Man Who Should Have Replaced Arshavin
Mexican Carlos Vela joined Arsenal in 2005 full of potential, and seen by many as a future club star. He was (and is) undoubtedly a skilful player and by the age of 21 he had made some impact on the Arsenal first team with a decent seasons in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and over 50 appearances for the club.
But since then he has failed to cement his place. After injuries, and several loan spells away, he has found himself this seasons at Real Sociedad, again on loan. The Sun is now reporting that he won’t be returning.
“I would stay at Real” Vela told El Diario Vasco of Spain, “I am happy and the people support me. I owe Arsenal affection and gratitude for the opportunity that they gave me, but I was not happy there and this affected my work.”
“It was hard day to day (at Arsenal) and, when it came to training, I was thinking about going home. Here, however, I am happy and have made good friends.”And it seems Arsenal will not be disappoint the player, and will allow him to leave. If Vela did return he would have to fight with Park, Oxlade-Chamberlain and others in an already crowded Arsenal striker pool.
It is easy to see why he does not look forward to coming back. However Sociedad are not in the best financial situation and are will not necessarily be able to afford the transfer. Vela’s future is still very much uncertain, but it is unlikely to lie in North London.
At a club famed for its nurturing of young talent Vela stands as an example to others that Wenger does not always work his magic. The left-footed Vela may have been a suitable replacement for the surely departing Arshavin.
However this looks like it won’t be the case, and instead we will watch with interest to see if Vela goes from strength to strength in La Liga, finally in a place that suits him and his style of play. Or whether Wenger’s judgement was right, and he will stay with Soceidad at mid-table mediocrity.
Is this a case of Arsenal and Wenger neglecting a young talent, or simply the departure of a mediocre player that would have never cut it at Arsenal? Arsenal fans will you be sad to see him leave?
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He deserves a chance, always was the stand out player in the carling cup. He may not get in first team, but if he was happy playing on the left as a back-up, then we should definitely keep him. Arshavins departure should be incentive enough for him, and he only has to look at the new kid Ox to show that with hard work and determination, you’ll get your chance. It’s up to him whether he wants it enough.
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Very disappointed if Vela leaves for good. I always admired his skills and thought he had a great future at Arsenal. It just goes to show how little we fans know about the real quality of the players Wenger has at his command.
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Vela is a good enough player, but he’s no longer of the age when you can sit back and wait till the other guy’s off. He needs airplay, and he needs an atmosphere that will be more favorable to him. He’s got it in Spain, so he should stick to it. Let’s hope a buyer can be found.
It’s not either-or: either he’s making it or he’s sh*t. Vela, like Bendtner is ok, but that’s not good enough. It’s like expecting a squad player to turn a Zidane. He won’t do.
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Well nobody was ever going to find out how good he was – coming on as sub for 15 minutes stuck out on the left wing !!
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Yes it’ll be sad to see him go. But thats only because he showed so much potential when he first arrived. But then he went on loan in Spain and brought back a couple of bad habits that didn’t suit the EPL. For example- diving at the slightest touch. and although he showed some good signs of being a top finisher with his cheeky lobs he didn’t seem to be able to finish any other way and when your one-on-one 10 yards out, surely its easier just to roll it in the corner. And too often he’d just laugh after losing the ball or when he missed a sitter. The loan to West Brom was unfortunate in the fact that the manager that wanted him left and his replacement wasn’t really fussed about using him. In his last season with us though he started to show some real signs of improvement but he still wasn’t quite ready yet, so he was sent him on loan again and he’s taking his chances it would seem. slotting into the corner instead of trying the tricks and making good runs.
So yeah it’ll be sad to see him go but essentially he’s just not an EPL striker. Not yet anyway. If we sell him we should add in a buy-back option like R.Madrid and Barca do with their talented (not quite there yet) players
Just my opinion though
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C’mon guys.. either he wasnt good enough or didnt have the character/disposition to fight through and claim a starting berth!
Stuck out on the left? You mean like Overmars?Ljunberg or pires? Didn’t Henry start by being “stuck” out there? Every player starts with bit part appearances and then make it hard for the manager no t to select them.
I’m a Vela fan… always searching for his Osasuna matches on TV before he finally got his work permit. Unfortunately he has not lived up to his promise.. he hasn’t grabbed his chance(s).
After all that, I wish the kid all the best and if Wenger brings him back, I will support him and hope he improves.
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If there is one criticism I have of Wenger it is `he seems to have favourites` who can do no wrong but, if your face doesn`t fit you`re out in the cold. From memory Vela was never on the pitch long enough to prove himself.
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