Vela granted work permit to train with Arsenal

Mexico striker Carlos Vela was granted a British work permit on Thursday and will join Arsenal's squad for preseason training in July.

Vela, 19, has been on loan this past season at Spanish club Osasuna, where he scored three goals in 32 appearances. He has three caps for Mexico and also played for Spanish second-division team Salamanca during the 2006-2007 season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said Vela would be involved with the first team next season and has likened him to Eduardo, who broke his leg during an English Premier League match in February.

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

Vela joined Arsenal from Celta Vigo in January 2007.

Wenger is looking to increase his attacking options because of injury problems this season, including to Eduardo and Robin van Persie.