12:08pm Friday 16th May 2008
ARSENAL have applied for a work permit for returning striker Carlos Vela in preparation for the Mexican's initiation into the first-team.
Vela (pictured) has been out on loan with Spanish side Osasuna this season and after a series of impressive performances, Arsene Wenger is keen to unleash his 19-year-old prodigy onto the Premier League.
"We have applied for a work permit for him now," Wenger told Arsenal.com.
"And he will be involved with the first-team next season.
"He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there.
"But for me it is not his position. He is a central striker, an Eduardo type."
Vela's immediate concerns are with his adopted club, who must win their final game of the season at home to Racing Santander on Sunday to ensure survival, as they sit just one point above the relegation zone in La Liga.
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