CARLOS VELA Joins West Brom on Loan

Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has joined Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion on loan until the end of the season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was keen to send the 21-year-old out to a club in the English top flight in order to build experience, and Bolton were reported to be in talks.

Spanish side Valencia were also credited with an interest, but Wenger's preference to ensure that Vela remained in England seems to have been an important factor.

As a result, Roberto Di Matteo's struggling West Brom have won the race for the Mexican, who signed a long-term contract with Arsenal in December 2009, and he is due to stay at The Hawthorns until May.
Di Matteo told West Brom's official website: "I'd like to officially welcome Carlos, who is an exciting signing for this club.

"Carlos is a new attacking option for us who can play both centrally and in the wide areas.

Win-win situation

"He also has great technical ability and pace and we're hoping he can make a big impact during the remainder of the season.

"There's no doubt that Carlos has the potential to become a great player and it will hopefully be a win-win situation, where we help him by giving him game time in the Premier League while he helps us achieve our goal
"Having said all that, we have to remember he is still a young boy learning his trade and we will be giving him all the support he needs during his time here.

"Arsenal and Carlos had a lot of options and I'm delighted both the club and player have chosen us.
"It's been well documented that Arsenal were keen for Carlos to stay in this country and the Premier League but I think a key factor was that they looked favourably on our style of play and performances this season."

Vela has enjoyed previous loan stints with Salamanca and Osasuna in Spain, but he is already a senior international and represented Mexico at the 2010 World Cup.

Source: Sky Sports 

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