Carlos Vela hails 'mini Arsenal' Albion

Carlos Vela today hailed Albion as a 'mini Arsenal' as he prepares for his Baggies debut against Wigan tonight.

The Mexico international is in line to start in this evening's crucial relegation showdown at The Hawthorns after joining on loan from the Gunners for the rest of the season.

And the 21-year-old forward revealed Albion's style of play was what convinced him to join them ahead of three other Premier League clubs, including Bolton.

"I decided to come here because this club try to play good football and always try to attack and win every game," said Vela.

"That's why I preferred to come here. It is very similar (to Arsenal) with the formation with three strikers. West Brom try to play good football and that's good for me and for everyone."

And Vela revealed how Albion's 3-2 win at The Emirates Stadium, in which Vela played as a substitute, left an impression on him.

"When you lose at home it is always difficult to understand but this team play very well and can win in every single stadium," he said.

The Baggies ended the January transfer window with Vela as their only new signing after their efforts to add extra recruits on deadline day drew a blank.

They enquired about Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge but he chose a loan move to Bolton, Brazil-born Italy international Amauri was another target but he opted to stay in Italy, moving from Juventus to Palma.

Chelsea refused to let defender Jeffrey Bruma leave Stamford Bridge despite resurrecting their £21m deal for David Luiz and there was a bizarre end to the Baggies' chase for Cameroon striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

He had already chosen a loan move to Cologne over a switch to The Hawthorns, only to find himself stranded at Hamburg when a faulty fax machine meant paperwork arrived at the German FA three minutes late.