Player profile

The golden boot winner at the 2005 Under-17 World Cup, Vela has so far failed to live up to his potential but remains highly-rated.

His boss at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, described him as “one of the best finishers I have seen”, but the 21-year-old has so far struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, where he has started just three games in two seasons.

It’s a different story on the international scene, where ‘El Bombardero’ has been a key player for El Tri since his debut in September 2007.

Following his performances in Mexico’s Under-17 World Cup-winning side, Vela was snapped up by Arsenal in 2005. The Gunners paid Mexican club Guadalajara £125,000 to sign him, with the fee rising to £550,000 if he makes 50 first-team appearances (he has so far played 49).

Vela was initially ‘parked’ at Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna for two and a half years before meeting work permit criteria by proving himself to be a ‘player of outstanding value’.

His debut for the Gunners came in August 2008, but his time in north London has been hampered by injuries. His Arsenal record stands at eight goals in 49 appearances (33 from the bench). He signed a new deal in December, keeping him at the Emirates until 2015.

Arsenal’s deal for Vela was set up at a hot-dog stall in Peru ahead of the Under-17 World Cup final in 2005. It was there that Arsenal’s South American scout saw Vela’s father, Enrique, in the queue - identifiable thanks to the T-shirt emblazoned with his son’s image. Vela’s older brother Alejandro plays for Mexican club Cruz Azul.