Real Sociedad vs Real Betis preview - Vela wants to remain in Spain

Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by PA

Real Sociedad's on-loan Arsenal striker Carlos Vela would prefer to stay in Spain beyond this summer.

The Mexican has been in great form of late with five goals in his last six games, including a brace in Saturday's 2-2 Primera Division draw at Espanyol, and hopes a deal can be agreed with the north London club at the end of the season.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's home game against Real Betis, Vela told Diario Vasco: "In every game, whether I play well or badly, I am not thinking about what Arsenal think of me. I give all my effort for Real Sociedad. Afterwards I will talk with them and make a decision. The best thing is for me to enjoy every moment that is left.

"From my point of view, from a footballing and lifestyle standpoint it is better to stay in this league. I have a contract with an English team and if I have to return there I will adapt, but if I could stay here I would be happier."

Vela is expected to drop into a deeper role than the one he occupied on Saturday for the visit of Betis as Imanol Agirretxe should return up front and Enaut Zubikarai will start his first league game of the season as goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is suspended.

Betis all but sealed their survival with a 3-1 win over Villarreal at the weekend to move above Sociedad in the table, but coach Pepe Mel accepts they cannot afford to relax as they are not yet mathematically safe.

He told the club's website: "It is clear that when you win you work with a smile on your face and are a little more relaxed, but you can't lower your standards in a league as competitive as this. We know we need to continue with the same intensity because we have still not achieved our objective.

"Sociedad is a lively team when they play at home. They press a lot and they have good players. Losing at Anoeta would mean having to start over again."

Nelson is expected to miss out for the visitors and Mel has promised to make changes as they face the second of three games in a week, but Roque Santa Cruz and Ruben Castro should be partnered again up front after they were both on target against Villarreal.