Carlos Vela and Pedro Botelho will both spend the 2011/12 campaign on loan in Spain’s La Liga.
Vela (22) is to join Real Sociedad subject to a medical. Brazilian defender Botelho (21) will spend this term with the newly promoted Rayo Vallecano.
Vela, the Mexico international forward, goes to Real Sociedad for the opportunity of regular first-team football.
As well as featuring 13 times for the Gunners last season, Vela enjoyed a successful loan spell with West Bromwich Albion from January, scoring two vital goals in his eight appearances – late equalisers against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City – which helped the Baggies make a strong finish to the season.
Vela was involved in five of Arsenal’s six pre-season games this year, scoring in both matches on the Asia Tour, against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou Greentown in China.
Botelho returns to Spain with Rayo to gain further first-team experience, having enjoyed a successful 2010/11 campaign as a regular with Second Division side Cartagena.
Since signing for Arsenal in January 2008, the young defender has also had season-long loan spells in Spain with Salamanca and Celta Vigo.
Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wish Carlos and Pedro the best of luck with their respective clubs for the season ahead.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vela-and-botelho-go-on-loan-to-spain
