Arsenal have had plenty of exciting young players graduate from their academy over the years – and none more so than Carlos Vela.

The Mexican looked for a while like he was destined for big things at Arsenal, not only scoring goals but playing in a style which fit with Arsene Wenger’s squads of the late 2000s. Hype is only going to grow off the back of a blistering start, too, and you could certainly forgive fans – and Vela himself – for getting carried away following his full debut.
Vela was just 16 when he joined Arsenal off the back of his performances in Mexico’s Under-17 World Championship win. The forward, then on the books of Chivas in Guadalajara, top-scored with five goals in the tournament and netted the opener in the final against a Brazil side including future full internationals Marcelo and Anderson.