Vela potential convinces Wenger to ignore Chamakh

Arsene Wenger will not renew his interest in Marouane Chamakh in January as he feels the void left by Robin van Persie's injury can be filled by Carlos Vela - a striker the Arsenal boss is hoping to tie to a new contract.

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Carlos Vela holds off Sunderland captain Lorik Cana

With Van Persie out with an ankle injury and Nicklas Bendtner also sidelined, Eduardo started as the lone striker against Sunderland on Saturday and Arsenal produced a poor performance to lose 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Speculation had arisen that after showing such strong interest in Bordeaux striker Chamakh over the summer, Wenger could make a new bid for the Morocco international who is out of contract at the end of the season in an attempt to strengthen his attacking options when the transfer window opens.

But Wenger is adamant he will not test Bordeaux's resolve any further and has, typically, invested his faith in a 20-year-old player already on his books and who has attracted comparisons with one of the most prolific strikers in Premier League history.

"At the moment I am inclined to say no "about going back for Chamakh) because I feel we have enough quality," Wenger told the club's official website. "Also I want to give a chance to Carlos Vela who comes back from injury and has great performances in training.

"Bordeaux are very reluctant (to sell). The player will be free to sign where he wants but they will not get a lot of money for three months more (on this contract). No (I have not enquired about him). They are reluctant because I cannot see how they can get a player of the same quality and it will be stupid for them to sell him if they are qualified in the Champions League to make, what, £1 million Euros? They can make three times that if they have a good run in the Champions League."

On Vela, Wenger added: "We are extending his contract at the moment. We are in a situation where we get these players in at 15 or 16 and work very hard for five years with them. After that we do not want to give them away.

"At the moment we have very good young players but the players in front of them are young as well, so it is a bit harder for this generation than it was for the generation of Denilson and Fabregas.

"Vela is a fantastic talent and he is 20-years-old. We have invested a lot of time for him because we put him in Spain for two years, got him back and now we work with him every day I believe he is a Robbie Fowler-type. He needs very little time to make a decision in the box. He is relaxed when he finishes and he has very short backlift. He is as well left-footed and he is a similar size."

Arsenal secured the signing of Vela from Guadalajara in November 2005 following his impressive performances at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup and he spent successive loan spells at Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna when awaiting the necessary documentation to play in England.

He made his debut in a 3-0 win over Newcastle in August 2008 and has proved prolific in the Carling Cup, scoring five goals in four games in the competition. However, he has scored only once in 15 Premier League appearances.