Like all world-class forwards, Carlos Vela has a twinkle in his eye. His slick black hair, cheeky self-assured grin and golden-boy looks are all the characteristics of a footballer who should have the globe in his pocket. A crucial part of Mexico’s World Cup team and playing for Arsenal, one of Europe’s best at developing exciting young talent, Vela possesses the hallmarks. So why hasn’t life as a professional exploded yet for the stylish young Latino?
Gifted with a permanent tan and undoubtedly popular with the Arsenal Women’s Supporters Trust, perhaps Vela isn’t so lucky elsewhere. Missing out on the Champions League game away to Barcelona last season because of a lost passport, a swine-flu scare and the worst possible comparison – Wenger puts him in the Eduardo mould – might suggest Vela is just one of those people who won’t make it at Arsenal. Fran Merida left last month for Atheltico Madrid and Gunner fans will never know how good he could have been for the club. Is Vela heading in the same direction?
Like Merida, Vela might be wondering whether he has been given a sufficient shot at first-team football under Wenger. To question Wenger on this though hardly adds up; the Frenchman is to the Premiership what Fagin is to Oliver Twist, however much deeper Wenger’s pockets might be compared to the wily London criminal-mind. With Vela it just seems his career is taking longer to pan out than the average hot-prospect, and showcasing his skills in an age where the young wrestle each other for an early place at the top, well, it’s just not always that easy for some.
Vela became one of only two Mexican players to have ever scored in the Premier League when he netted away against Portsmouth on 2 May 2009. Looking at Vela’s early days with Arsenal, it’s easy to see why Mexican talent is few and far between in England. Brought from Guadalajara in November 2005 for an initial £125k, English work permit restrictions for non-EU citizens stopped his progress beginning in north London. He was quickly passed to Celta Vigo on loan where he didn’t start a single match.
Two more loan spells in Spain with Salamanca and Osasuna offered Vela more opportunity to express his game, yet still it wasn’t enough to poke Wenger’s ribs and make his presence felt. There is no doubting Vela is a favourite among the fans and an eyebrow raiser whenever his name is listed on match-days, but this is probably more for his flashy take on football and exotic brand of play, rather than his current value to the club.
Everything is in place though for all of this to change. The World Cup is a day away, the stage is set, and the time has come for Vela to bow for his best break-through actor award. It’s easy to forget that Vela is only 21-years-old, much younger than you might think if you didn’t already know, most likely down to how worldly Vela is compared to others his age. Born just 15 days apart, Theo Walcott has 86 appearances for Arsenal compared to Vela’s 25, but at international level it’s different. By the time Walcott is 25 he wouldn’t have featured in one World Cup game, where Vela is braced for his first tomorrow. For Mexico Vela has 28 caps compared to Theo’s 11 for England.
World Cup experience in South Africa will be the making of Vela. While Walcott kicks his feet at home this summer, Vela will be leading the line for a country whose people expect great things from their national side. The pressure will be on from the start playing against the fiery host nation in the opening game, in a group also consisting of France and Uruguay, another team packed with threatening players. For somebody who has been extremely patient, the World Cup seems to have come around at just the right time for Vela.
And that’s what I like most about Vela; his attitude. It’s easy to look around and see many of his colleagues going on loan and returning to nothing significant at Arsenal. Even senior players have dropped out for pastures new and greener. Then there’s that urge to want the riches other young talent have and begin searching for the golden ticket right away. Not once have I heard Vela moan about a lack of action or blame injury for being down the food chain. This is a guy who seems to have painted a vision of the future while telling himself success will come all in good time; mañana mañana!
So what about his game then? The first thing I noticed was Vela’s canny knack of creating chances when playing up front on his own. On a few occasions Wenger pushed him forward and Vela posed all the problems you’d expect of somebody with his speed and tricky build. There is a sense of sharpness to Vela’s play and certainly coolness to his finishing (seen in his love for the chip). Perhaps sometimes too cool though, as England fans would have witnessed in the friendly with Mexico last month. Still, creating chances seemed a doddle and the England centre-backs looked wobbly at best.
All eyes are on Robin van Persie at the moment. The Dutchman has scored four goals in recent friendly matches and appears to be in his usual no-nonsense finishing mode. Many fans see the Netherlands as a decent outside bet to win the tournament and some astute gamblers I know have van Persie down to win the golden boot. Personally I will be watching Carlos Vela just as closely. Mexico have every chance of qualifying from their group and if they do many hopes will be resting on Arsenal’s young star to take them further than their traditional quarter-final stage exit. Carlos Vela then is my World Cup one to watch. Mañana!
09.25pm: Vela late night ramblings
I’ve just gotten off the phone to a friend and he was stuck on his position as to Carlos, although he was quite happy to say the Mexican would be the best Arsenal player at the tournament. I can’t see that being too difficult though. A few of his thoughts then:
“He’s the white Walcott. Trust me, when he had his hair short he looked like Walcott.”
“He’s got the name, ya know, a famous sports star, a famous movie star.”
“Thomas Vermaelen, he could be working in a call centre. Mr Vermaelen there’s a call for you on line one … Mr Vela, you’re limo awaits.”
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