Coyle would be good for Vela

I've been somewhat unimpressed and impatient with several of Wenger's so-called 'gems' over the years, but Carlos Vela is not one of them, despite his obvious struggles at Arsenal.

Wenger waited a long time for the young Mexican, who was signed initially in 2005, but had to be loaned out in Spain to get a work permit before eventually being legible to play in the Premier League in the 2008/09 season.

Despite limited appearances, Vela has shown a very clinical edge with some precise finishing, and a couple of wondergoals thrown in as well. Sadly, he mostly only seems able to produce in relatively unimportant Carling Cup games, or when the first-team are already a few goals up.

He's behind a lot of players in a strong attacking squad, so it's not surprising that if he ever plays it's as an impact sub. In his third season at the club, that's not going to be good for confidence. Players need to know they have time to relax and get into the game, rather than the odd 15 minutes here and there to impress as much as possible.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has shown an interest in taking the 21-year-old on loan for the rest of the season. A spell at the Reebok last season for Jack Wilshere proved highly beneficial for the midfielder's career, and only recently he spoke again about how much he gained from playing regularly in the Premier League, making his step up to first choice for Arsenal this season surprisingly easy.

On Vela, Coyle said: "Carlos Vela is an outstanding player. I think Arsène said at the weekend he could go on loan and people have looked and put two and two together.

"We have a good relationship with Arsenal, obviously with Jack Wilshere last year and hopefully we played a small part in his development, and there is no doubting Carlos Vela is a wonderful player."

I hope this happens, and as weird as it sounds to say it, I think Bolton would be the ideal place for Vela. They play good football under Coyle, and he has done good work for our Jack, but also for the previously unconfident Johan Elmander, who has improved vastly under the Scot's management.

It's not easy being a young player at a big club like Arsenal, and I wish a few of our other players had gone on loan in the last few years; players like Diaby and Denilson who haven't developed nearly as well as we'd hoped.

For one thing, I think playing under different managers and different strategies is good for a player. Too many of the squad here know basically nothing but the Wenger way, and while that has its positives, you don't need me to tell you the negatives.

I think with more playing time, Vela could be a lethal striker, so I hope we don't waste him with another six months on the bench. I really hope this loan move happens.

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