Vela - I'm back and I'm ready to shine

By Nick Teale

After an injury-hit start to his season, Carlos Vela is now back and ready to try and help Arsenal win some silverware.
 
The Mexican striker missed pre-season due to international commitments and returned from his homeland with an ankle injury.
 
He was ruled out for a month but made his first appearance of the season as an influential substitute in the 2-0 Carling Cup Third Round victory over West Brom in September.
 
A fearsome shot from the Mexican forced West Brom keeper Dean Kiely into a save but the ball fell to Sanchez Watt who scored Arsenal's first goal of the evening. Vela added the second himself, turning home a Mark Randall chip that had bounced off the crossbar.
 
However, Vela then missed the Fourth Round victory over Liverpool with a knee injury. But he's fit again now and is hopeful that the last of his injury problems are behind him.
 
"It's been a difficult start," he told Arsenal TV Online's 'Spotlight' programme. "I couldn't train with the team in pre-season and since then I've had lots of injuries and missed lots of games.
 
"It's been difficult but hopefully all the injuries are behind me and then I'll be able to work hard and enjoy myself and get back in the team and win something.

And, after scoring six goals last season, Vela is determined to beat that tally this term.
 
"I really want to improve on last season," he said. "I want to score more goals than last season and play more and the main aim for the team is to win something."
 
However, the 20-year-old knows competition for places is tough but believes his ability to play across the front three could give him an advantage.

"It's hard, it's difficult, there's so much quality here," he said. "But when my opportunity comes along, I aim to make the most of it and go from there.
 
"Arsène Wenger has brought in the new system and the three places are up for grabs. I think that it's important for me and for the team to have such variation in our play.
 
"Being able to play in the three positions will hopefully make it easier to break into the team, but the most important thing is the team."
 
Carlos Vela was talking to Arsenal TV Online's 'Spotlight', a wide-ranging interview series broadcast on Friday nights.
 
The 'Spotlight' series gives Arsenal fans a chance to get to know the players they cheer on week-in, week-out.
 
If you missed Carlos' interviewing during our Friday-night coverage last week, you can catch up 'on demand' now.
Carlos discusses:

• his journey to Arsenal
• playing in the same team as his brother in Mexico
• winning the Under-17 World Cup with Mexico in 2005
• moving to London
• waiting for his work permit
• his loan spells in Spain
• settling in at Arsenal
• his debut against Sheffield United
• his start to this season
• the Arsenal dressing room
• his hobbies off the pitch

TV Online subscribers can watch the interview now.

[Monday, November 30, 2009]