12. Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela made his Arsenal debut a whole 18 months after signing for the Club. On the evidence so far, he has been worth the wait.

The Mexican youngster joined the Club from Celta Vigo in January 2007 but spent the next season and a half gaining valuable experience in Spain. After a stint with Salamanca he helped Osasuna escape relegation before joining up with Arsenal's first-team squad in the summer.

Carlos made an instant impact with Arsenal, netting four times in two games during pre-season. His close control and finishing ability have already caught the eye, not least when he ghosted past former Gunner Jens Lehmann in the win at Stuttgart. Carlos, who can play as a deep-lying striker or out wide, will now be hoping to make his mark in the Premier League.

A Mexican youth international, Carlos shot to prominence in 2005 when he helped Mexico win the FIFA Under-17 World Championships, scoring five goals to scoop the tournament's Golden Boot. It was Mexico's first world title at any level and served notice of Carlos' huge potential.

 

MY YEAR

October

Carlos was involved in four of the five October matchday squads and was introduced in the 86th minute against both Sunderland and Fenerbahce. However, the Mexican striker did not make it off the bench against Everton or Tottenham.

September

If Carlos still seemed like something of stranger to the Arsenal fans, the Mexican thoroughly introduced himself in September on Tuesday 23rd. The 19-year-old was handed his first start against Sheffield United and he marked it with a scintillating hat-trick. Carlos struck his first goal a minute before half time as he stroked the ball across goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and into the bottom corner. His second goal was the pick of the bunch as he brought down a long ball on his chest and dinked it over Kenny from just inside the area, five minutes after the break. He completed his treble in the 86th minute, this time drilling his effort low into the corner.

August

Carlos is another of the young Arsenal charges who showed glimpses of what he is capable of during pre-season. The highlight of the Mexican’s month was his sublime finish four minutes into the Amsterdam Tournament fixture against Sevilla. The 19-year-old raced into the area before steering his effort into the far corner. Carlos made his first competitive appearance for the Gunners in their last fixture of the month against Newcastle on August 30.

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