Should Arsenal Activate Carlos Vela's Buyback Clause?

In an interview back in March 2013, with Sky Sports News, Carlos admitted that there is a clause in his current Real Sociedad contract which allows Arsenal first choice option to buy him. In that conversation, Vela went on to say, “I’m happy and I want to stay here”. Since March, Arsenal has continued their fine form, leading the Premier League as well their Champions League group, with a great chance to progress into the knock out stages. Despite this, certain supposed sources throughout Spain claim that he still wouldn’t be interested on a return if Arsenal were to activate the clause. I for one couldn’t care less, and neither should you as I shall quickly explain.

He seemingly appears to have gotten a lot better than when he was playing for us and many other loan clubs all throughout those 7 years, but one has to logically take into consideration the fact that although he might be in a better physiological place, he is competing in a much weaker league. With a deceiving 7 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances to his name this season, you’d be forgiven to believe that Carlos Vela is a decent player.

Carlos Vela, That Mexican Fella

To me though, he is the epitome of an inconsistent striker. With 4 goals of his total 7 coming in one match against a poor Celta Vigo side, it means that Vela has scored just 3 in his other 17 appearances. And even though at this rate he’ll still score more than the entire sp*rs side come the end of the season, it doesn’t hide the fact that it’s a pretty piss poor return from a striker.

Worse yet, it isn’t like the lad is making up for his lack of goals with hard working performances as Giroud, for instance, does game in game out. Because while goals might be one of the most important parts to a striker’s game, they can often substitute it with other important qualities in service to the team.  Sadly, Vela has never struck me as the sort of player who is willing to track back and help out in defending, and this is probably one of the reasons why he never broke into the Arsenal team as a regular in the first place. Furthermore he just doesn’t have the physical presence required for a striker in the Premier League in this day and age. Even the short and pacey players like Aguero have developed the strength required to stand off against a Premiership back four; Vela had 7 years to prove he could but never did.

Currently very few rumours about Arsenal putting forth a bid for Vela are roaming about. Hopefully, that remains the case because at this point in time the praise attributed to the Mexican fella isn’t exactly deserved. The probable explanation is that the sports media across Europe attended an annual “We loath Arsenal because they’re so much better than us and that really pisses us off” meeting and blowing Vela’s current success out of proportion was one of the objectives of their agenda.

Whatever the case may be, the stats don’t add up for me and the idea of Arsenal activating a clause on a striker who hardly finds the net and doesn’t offer much in the way of work ethic, is insane.. I would be a much happier bunny if Arsenal instead spent the money on building a giant bronze cock on balls outside Shite Hart Lane. And no, not a cock resembling their emblem.

@TrimiRatkoceri 

Goonersphere's Response

Interesting post Leutrim. Vela is a player that I wouldn't entirely be opposed to as he is versatile enough to cover many of our forward positions however agree with your reasons for not wanting to re-sign him. Like Arshavin before him, he is not without talent but in a league like the Premier League he would be a luxury player who wouldn't give much in the way of a team performance but could be thrown on in the hope he could produce some magic. It's probably better for all parties concerned if Arsenal doesn't activate the buy-back clause. Great post and we hope to see you on Goonersphere again real soon.

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