How did Carlos Vela get to the Premier League?

Carlos Vela made a big move out of Mexico to join English Premier League club Arsenal in 2005 shortly after winning the FIFA U17 World Cup but it was never the move he dreamed of as it was a difficult spell at the club. He finally left the club in 2012 after several loan spells mostly in Spain and one in England.

How did Arsenal sign Carlos Vela?

Carlos Vela was playing for the youth team of Guadalajara in his country Mexico. He represented Mexico at the 2005 FIFA U17 World Cup held in Peru and Mexico were champions. Vela won the golden boot with five goals. His performance at the tournament convinced Guadalajara to want to give him a professional contract but before they could do so, he began to attract interest from top European clubs. English club Arsenal eventually signed him for £125,000 which later rose to £550,000 plus appearance add-ons. 

Why did Carlos Vela not play much for Arsenal?

Carlos Vela didn't kick a ball for Arsenal in England for the first three years of his contract as he was unable to secure a work permit as it is the case of other non European Union citizens. He went on three loans at Spanish clubs before he eventually got his work permit in 2008. He played in both Spanish too and lower divisions during his loan spell at Celta Vigo where he never played any match and at Salamanca and Osasuna. He eventually got his work permit to be able to play in England in 2008 but the class of strikers at Arsenal meant he still had to go on loan.

How many loans did Vela go to at Arsenal?

Carlos Vela's first three years at Arsenal were spent on loans. In total, he went on five loans, four at Spanish clubs and one in England. His first loan was at Celta Vigo, he was returned to Arsenal immediately without paying, no one knows the reason why. He was then sent to Spanish lower division club Salamanca where where he played a full season, he played 31 games and scored eight goals. His performances attracted interests from top Spanish clubs and eventually joined Osasuna, he played 33 games and scored three goals. At the end of the loan, he got his work permit at Arsenal but after two years and 64 games, he was loaned to West Brom but didn't play much. He had his final loan at Real Sociedad, the club he joined permanently in 2012 ending his seven years at Arsenal.

How many games and goals did he score for Arsenal?

Carlos Vela played 64 games for Arsenal and scored 11 goals and 10 assists. His first goals was a hattrick in a league cup against Sheffield. He did not win any trophy for Arsenal.