If Arseblog News had existed when Carlos Vela signed for Arsenal in November 2005 (how time flies when you’re not winning trophies), we’d probably have urged caution despite a proliferation of hyperbolic copy declaring him the greatest 17-year-old footballer since Pele turned 18.

As it turns out we would have been right to do so. Aside from a couple of low-key loans, a Carling Cup hat-trick, a swine flu scare, partying with vice-girls and a transvestite and wearing gloves 24/7, our Mexican ‘wonderkid’ has done very little in seven years on the books in N5.

A limp attacking threat when occasionally deployed as a substitute in the first half of last season, Vela was shifted out on loan to West Bromwich Albion for a few months at the beginning of 2011, before heading to Spain for the third time in August.

Playing for Real Sociedad on a more regular basis, the 23-year-old has started to show flashes of the form which brought him to the attention of Arsene Wenger and now looks likely to make a permanent switch to the Anoeta Stadium at the end of the season.

“It is true, we want the player and we are prepared to fight to close the deal,” Sociedad president, Jokin Aperribay, is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“At the moment things have stopped because Arsenal only want to speak at the end of the season.

“It will not be easy, but Vela wants to stay here and that could be crucial in the negotiations.”

Obviously it’s a shame that Arsenal supporters never saw Carlos fulfil his potential, but for every Thierry Henry there must be a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. It is the way of the world…