Carlos Vela edging toward Arsenal exit

Real Scoiedad president Jokin Aperribay has said that he is "cautiously optimistic" regarding the capture of Arsenal forward Carlos Vela.

The Mexican forward has been tipped for the exit door at the Emirates Stadium as Arsene Wenger attempts to shuffle his pack ahead of the new Premier League season.

Sociedad are keen on securing a permanent deal for the 23-year-old, who enjoyed a spell on loan at the La Liga outfit last season, scoring 12 goals in 35 appearances.

"It's going forward because we want him in the team next season, but we still want to be cautious because we have not closed the deal with Arsenal," Aperribay told Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco. "I'm cautiously optimistic."

Vela joined the Gunners' youth setup from Guadalajara in 2005.