Arsenal striker Carlos Vela has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of facing Liverpool in the Carling Cup as the two side’s prepare for the Tuesday night showdown at the Emirates. Both Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez are expected to field young sides for the tussle and Mexican international Vela believes that the competition is vital for inexperienced players to prove their worth.
Speaking in through a translator to Arsenal TV Online, Vela stressed:
“It’s going to be important to play against this team [Liverpool] in this game. I believe that every match I play for my team Arsenal is special for me and I don’t really care that much who we play, I just want to win. It could be a second division team, whoever, I just really want to win. This one is clearly special, because of the team we play against so it is important.
“This competition is very important for all the young players. It is not a reserves or lower league competition, so we have the opportunity to prove ourselves at a high level and that is always the test for a player. It also means that the younger players can use this competition to show the boss what they have learned and what they can do if the get an opportunity in the first team.
Responding to suggestions that the atmosphere at the Emirates could help focus the minds of Arsenal’s youngsters, Vela continued:
“Yes! Absolutely. Playing at home is something that always motivates you more when you’ve got all the support of the fans. You have in your mind that you just can’t lose. When you play at home it is just a matter of win or win. Those are the only options.
Asked whether, despite his tender years, he felt like one of the more experienced players in Arsene Wenger’s Carling Cup squad, the Mexican made clear that he himself was still lacking a steady run of first team appearances compared to some of this teammates.
“We have players like Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos who have a lot of experience. In our case, what really counts is the desire and hunger of the young players to help us win these games.
“I don’t think only about the Carling Cup, I know that I have to be ready for any tournament. My aim this season is to play more minutes in various competitions and for me the most important match is simply the next one. I have to train hard this week to be ready for a game at the weekend and the same again next week and the week after that. It is just a matter of keep on going and working as hard as possible.”