WENGER TO USE VELA AS FOURTH STRIKER

Arsene Wenger has indicated his plan to use Carlos Vela as Arsenal's fourth striker next season while Eduardo continues his rehabilitation from his horrific broken leg.

The 19-year-old Vela has spent the current season on loan at Spanish side Osasuna but Arsenal have signalled their intention to use him as a first-team player next season by applying for a work permit. Should that application be successful, the youngster is set for a prominent role at the club.

"He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there," remarked Arsene Wenger. "But for me it is not his position he is a central striker, an Eduardo type."

With Eduardo unlikely to return before January, Arsenal have been linked this week with a move for Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez. However, Wenger has limited funds to spend this summer, and with defenders and midfielders his priority, the promotion of Vela would be a cost-effective solution while also offering hope to Eduardo that he hasn't been written out of the Frenchman's plans for 2008/09.