Carlos Vela's fresh transfer leap after Arsenal's missed clause and MLS heroics

"I feel that this guy can not only play but he can score as well - and you know that we love strikers who can do both."

Those were the words of Arsene Wenger as he prepared to hand Carlos Vela his full debut in a League Cup clash against Sheffield United in September 2008.

Then a 19-year-old prodigy, Arsenal fans had been forced to wait almost three years to see Vela in action for the first time due to work permit issues.

But having returned from loan spells with Salamanca and Osasuna in Spain, the teenage forward did not disappoint against the Blades, grabbing a sublime hat-trick to announce himself on the English football scene.

His second goal at the Emirates was the pick of three fine strikes after he collected the ball on his chest, outfoxed two defenders and dinked the helpless Paddy Kenny with aplomb to put the Gunners 4-0 up.

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It was a goal oozing in the confidence and flair which has epitomised the Mexican's career - even though his overall impact across two-and-a-half seasons in North London was limited.

There were flashes of brilliance such as another delightful chip against Burnley in the FA Cup in 2009 and a double against Braga in the Champions League the following year.

But, having made just four Premier League appearances during the first half of the 2010/11 campaign, Vela joined West Bromwich Albion on short-term loan, scoring twice for the Baggies during the run-in.

This was not enough to convince Wenger to hand him a spot in the squad for the next season, so Vela was loaned out once again, this time on a 12-month deal to Real Sociedad.

It was in the Basque city of San Sebastian where the gifted forward would unleash his full potential, scoring 12 goals in his debut season to convince the club to sign him permanently in July 2012 for an undisclosed fee.

Vela would go on to score 61 goals across his six-and-a-half years with Real Sociedad, winning their Player of the Year award twice, although he came close to returning to Arsenal midway through his time in Spain.

The Gunners were keen to activate a £3.5million buy-back clause in the summer of 2014 but Real Sociedad took decisive action by paying £8.8million plus a further £4million in add-ons to remove the clause as they tied Vela down to a new contract.

This ensured Vela spent many more fruitful years in La Liga before moving across the pond to join Los Angeles FC in January 2018.

The attraction of Major League Soccer for Vela was clear as he became one of the division's top earners as a 'designated player', meaning he is one of three allocated stars whose payslips are not constrained by the club's salary cap.

Vela has taken his status as one of the MLS' biggest attractions in his stride and scored a remarkable 34 goals in 31 top-flight appearances during the 2019 season, during which he was linked with Barcelona.

This was enough to earn him the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards that year, but knee and thigh injuries meant he did not reach those levels over the following two years.

There are signs Vela - who turned 33 on Tuesday - is now back to his best as he scored a hat-trick on his first appearance of the 2022 season against Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

However, his contract expires this year and he cast doubt over his future by admitting he only has "one or two years [remaining] at the highest level" during an interview with ESPN in February.

Although he has made his love for Los Angeles apparent over the years, Vela has previously suggested he would like to live and play in Australia before he hangs up his boots.

Regardless of where he ends up, the Cancun native retains unflappable belief in his own abilities and declared: "If I am healthy and injuries respect me, I can compete against anyone and be the best player in Major League Soccer."

A career which has taken Vela from Arsenal prospect to MLS superstar is undoubtedly in its closing chapters, but the confidence he showed on his full Gunners debut will remain until the day he retires.