Arsenal forward Vela caught up in flu scare

Arsenal’s Mexican forward Carlos Vela was told to stay away from training on Monday as the English club reacted to concerns over the outbreak of swine flu that has killed more than 150 people in his homeland.

The 20-year-old has not been in Mexico recently but had been visited by friends from home last week and underwent tests as a precaution.

Vela, who has made 12 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season, was given the all clear and allowed to travel with the Arsenal squad for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final, first leg at Manchester United.

“Today he was free to attend training,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Tuesday. “I was asked to keep him at home yesterday and he was not allowed to be at the training ground. His Mexican friends came to visit last week.”