Former Arsenal forward “not thinking” of Emirates return

Former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela has played down reports he could be returning to Emirates Stadium in the summer.

Recent reports have claimed the Mexican star’s impressive performances fro Real Sociedad since his permanent switch there last summer has been interesting Gunners boss Arsene Wenger

A report in talkSPORT is running with quotes from the 23-year-old and claimed Arsenal inserted a buy-back clause in the deal to take Vela to the San Sebastian.

It also claims Wenger has sent scouts to keep a close eye on the Mexico international, who has scored 11 La Liga goals so far this season.

However, Vela used an interview with Mexican paper Esta to play down reports of a return to Arsenal and said he was only concentrating on the rest of the season with Sociedad.

Although he does not rule anything out, which some Gunners fans could see as encouragement if they were to pursue his return.

“I'm calm and I'm not thinking about what will happen next season,” said Vela.

"If I worry it will be in June or July, and then I can speak about it. For now I'm just thinking of Real. We must keep the good run going."

Vela moved to Arsenal in 2005 from Guadalajara as a 16-year-old and showed great promise, scoring an impressive hat-trick on his full debut.

Vela did not progress as this early promise suggested, however, and he finally made the permanent move away from Emirates Stadium after spending two seasons away on loan.