Arsenal: Carlos Vela Hints He Might Leave the Club This Summer

ESPN Soccernet reported on Wednesday that Carlos Vela has said he would welcome a permanent stay with La Liga side Real Sociedad following his season-long loan from Arsenal.

"I would stay at Real," Vela told El Diario Vasco. "I am happy and the people support me. I owe Arsenal affection and gratitude for the opportunity that they gave me, but I was not happy there and this affected my work.

"It was hard day to day and, when it came to training, I was thinking about going home. Here, however, I am happy and have made good friends."

Still only 22, Vela has made 26 appearances for Sociedad in 2011-12 and has three goals and five assists to his name. One of those goals was a spectacular overhead kick against Malaga back in December.

But anomalous feats of brilliance have never been a problem for Vela, who has scored a couple sensational goals for Arsenal as well. It's consistency that's been the albatross during his tenure with the Gunners.

This current season-long deal marks the fourth time Vela has been loaned out by Arsenal since joining the club in 2005 from Guadalajara on an initial £125,000 transfer that rose to £550,000 after he made 50 first-team appearances.

Vela's first two loans (to Salamanca and Osasuana) were based as much on getting him first-team experience as they were to Arsenal's inability to secure a work permit that would allow him to play in England. The permit wasn't approved until after the 2007-08 season.

Vela spent the 2006-07 season with Salamanca and the subsequent term with Osasuana; in 65 games for both clubs, he scored 11 goals and notched 19 assists (15 of those assists came with Osasuana).

With that kind of production, big things were expected from Vela at Arsenal. Some even thought he could become a "second Eduardo" of sorts.

Yet, the Mexico international's time with Arsenal has been defined by fringe first-team appearances and frustration. He has seen the most playing time in the Carling and FA Cups, although he has been used sparingly in matches as well. Despite signing a contract extension in December 2009—the details were undisclosed—Vela has been unable to make an indelible imprint in the side and see regular first-team action.

Perhaps known best for his cool finishes (he has a penchant for the cheeky chip), the man known in Mexico as El Bombardero has perhaps come to the realization that his future might just be brightest away from the Emirates.

If playing time is his goal, he may not have much of a choice. If the Gunners' wing positions were considered an inn at this time, there simply would not be any room left for Carlos. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho and Theo Walcott have become the preferential options on the flanks, and Wenger has hinted he may splurge on Lille wunderkind winger Eden Hazard this summer.

One struggles to see where Vela would fit into that dynamic.

When Vela did get games for Arsenal—especially when used in Premier League matches—he was often used on the wing. He may be at his best as a central forward, but he simply hasn't shown the requisite ability to play that position effectively week-in, week-out amongst the rigors of the EPL season.

Still, there is plenty of time before a decision is to be made regarding his future, and Vela certainly has not been Bendtner-esque when asked about returning to Arsenal. Where the Danish forward has for all intents and purposes ruled out ever playing for Arsenal again, Vela has offered a more nuanced perspective.

In that Soccernet article, Vela said:

"It is too early to talk about these issues, but I do not close the door to Real. But, if you cannot reach an agreement with Arsenal, you cannot do anything.

"As I said, I'm happy here and would like to help the team stay up. Then we'll see what happens in the summer. Right now, we cannot do anything even if we wanted to."

The next few months will certainly tell the story about his future, but right now, it looks like he might be headed for an extended holiday on the Iberian peninsula.