Some young players arrive at Arsenal with so much promise, and a lot of pressure on them to perform and become the next ‘big thing’, and just disappear off the radar and never reach that potential. I’m hoping Carlos Vela isn’t one of those players.
Vela, 21 next month, has only started 5 games for Arsenal this season, 2 in the FA Cup, 2 in the Champions League, and 1 in the Carling Cup. Not one single Premiership start. If you compare this to players of a similar age and look at the number of Premiership appearances they have made, Vela just seems out of favour or not hitting the potential we all dreamed of.
- Carlos Vela – 20 years old (0 starts, 8 appearances as sub)
- Aaron Ramsey – 19 years old (5 starts, 11 appearances as sub)
- Theo Walcott - 19 years old (4 starts, 8 appearances as sub)
- Jack Wilshere – 18 years old (1 start, 1 appearance as sub)
- Vito Mannone – 21 years old (5 starts)
- Kieran Gibbs – 20 years old (3 appearances)
- Armand Traore – 20 years old (8 starts)
Of course, Vela was out for a while with an injury, but the stats above seem to suggest that Wenger clearly sees Vela as an impact player, and to be fair he probably will be until he makes that next step up. Personally, I don’t think he’s been given a crack at the whip. Other players, more notably Theo Walcott, have been given a longer run in the team, and more time to prove themselves.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking Vela. On his day he looks like a world-beater, and we’ve seen glimpses of magic from the lad. Who can forget the way he ripped Sheffield United apart in the Carlsberg Cup last season? I’m one of the fans who really does hope he hits that potential we know he’s capable of, and can do it on a consistent basis.
Vela’s problems right now is that he’s not getting a run in the team, he lacks the consistency so needed to be an Arsenal player, and he seems too lightweight. These are three problems that can be sorted out. He needs to get used to the physical side of the Premiership, and the consistency and lack of a long term run in the team come together. His attitude seems to be spot-on.
Let’s hope he starts against Porto tomorrow night and destroys them. He’s capable of battering top-class opposition as he proved here against Real Madrid, in his Osasuna days. Sergio Ramos didn’t know what hit him.
Maybe I’m totally wrong, and the reason for the lack of appearances is the total opposite, which could be that Wenger sees Carlos Vela as the next big thing and is doing all he can to protect him.
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Vela is my fav young player,awesome skills and speed.He’ll eventually get used to the physical prem if given more games.
Much better than Theo as a striker and a winger.
THE NEXT RAUL.
I agree with you ibbs, the boy is clearly oozing potential.
I AGREE – HE IS A GOOD PLAYER LIKE KUN AGUERO – JUST NEEDS MORE GAME TIME!!
vela is trash, but can still improve.
Vela is one of the most talented youngsters to wear an arsenal shirt,he just needs a run of games and you will witness what a talent this boy is.I personally rate him amongst the top ten mid fielders in the EPL.
i think wenger is just being patient with vela and slowly easing him into the premiership.
all the other players you compare to vela have been in england for years. its not age its because they have spent time in england , in the reserves learning the ” arsenal way”.
alot of time vela has spent with mexico and i mean alot. and he has been injured. i am suprised myself he hasnt played much but he will. he just has too much natural abillity not to make it.
i was right next to the pitch at sheffield game!
i think he or walcott or even both should go out on loan for a year when chammakh arrives, we could then give simpson a chance. After all Simpson has scored more goals than Moses and everyone was raving about him.
I dont think theres any issue of him not being good enough or anything like that. I really do just believe its an issue that theres so much traffic ahead of him in his position. He could probably play anywhere in that front 3 and there are so many established players who can play there its difficult for him to get a run in the side. Players who can play in that 3 are already van persie, eduardo, bendtner, walcott, arshavin, nasri, rosicky and even diaby at a push could play as one of the wingers behind the front man. That means there are 8 players there ahead of him which is a lot. Even if all 3 of the 1st choice get injured he still would not be next in line to play so its hard. However its so so clear to me the man is a class act and a string of injuries will come at somepoint and I believe that once he gets a run in the side things will take off but for now he just needs to bide his time and keep on improving behind the scenes, playing whenever he can and the rest will come.
Carlos Vela and Walcott lack one thing the finishing touch. Vela plays more like Eduardo more of an impact player than a finisher he dribbles well can hold the ball up front. He needs a string of matches to prove himself.
Boozy, just like your nikname go have your daily booz, and stop calling the play trash.
in my opinion vela shows flashes of brilliance like last season against burnley, but he needs to go on loan to get a good run of games and become more physical. at the moment a strong breeze would knock him over
in my opinion vela shows flashes of brilliance like last season against burnley, but he needs to go on loan to get a good run of games and become more physical. at the moment a strong breeze would knock him over.
I would like to see him in more games. The jury is still out on him. Maybe it is time to use him and see if this is money well worth spent. http://defutebol.net
I also agree wit u bt in mst cases we do not need inexperience and a short man moreover a left footer up front
good thing he was recently signed by the team, there were major transfer rumors regarding his move to another team this winter break…
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Just young players thats alland mannone is shite