Thomas Vermaelen insists he has no intention of leaving Arsenal and believes that Arsene Wenger appointed him club captain for who he is as a man, not just as a player.
The centre-back, who stepped up his comeback from injury with a full 120 minutes against West Brom on Wednesday evening, also believes he’ll get chances to play this season despite Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker providing stiff and consistent competition.
Speaking to press in his homeland (translation provided by The Times), Vermaelen reasserted his loyalty to the Gunners:
“I am perfectly happy at Arsenal. At no time have I thought to leave here. In football, it is sometimes hard to think far ahead because it depends on many factors. Also Arsenal. But at this moment I cannot say anything else than that I’m happy.”
Having been benched by Wenger during the last third of the season the Belgian was linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, however, he insists his relationship with the boss hasn’t changed.
“It is no different than other players, our relationship is good. We talk occasionally but ultimately he makes the decisions.
“I had him, in my whole time at Arsenal, as a positive contact. If you are saying that I’m not a regular player, I’ve been injured for three months.
“To immediately speak about the captaincy is short-term thinking. I know the football world thinks and is very opportunistic, but Arsène Wenger does not do that.
“He has made me captain for who I am. Even if I do not play, I can offer added value.”
Having overcome a niggly back problem and survived Wednesday’s gruelling clash with West Brom unscathed, Vermaelen also spoke optimistically about the rest of the season.
“To go immediately from zero to 120 minutes is not nothing but physically it felt good and then both after the match as the day.
“An injury is always inconvenient. At the end of last season I sat on the bench and the manager had chosen Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Of course you’d rather not injured. But I can accept fairly quickly.
“I have experience with injuries and am also already been eight months. I try to deal positively with it. There are so many games in a year that that opportunity comes anyway. For now the manager picks Per and Laurent and you have to accept it. You may become frustrated because that does not help you move forward. I am confident that I will get chances again if I keep working on training.”
Vermaelen certainly put in an assured performance next to Mertesacker in midweek but it looks like he’s going to have to remain patient for his next chance. You suspect he needs a run of games to build his confidence again but unless there’s an injury to someone else he’s not going to get that. As such he just needs to remain focused and take his chances when they come. With a World Cup on the horizon and Belgium set to qualify he certainly has plenty to aim for.
TV number 5 quite literally saying “I’ll be back”.
The Verminator returns. Get in!
You have to love that attitude !
There is no questioning that Tommy is a worthy captain. Apparently he is always the earliest to training, trains the hardest everyday and is the last to leave. He is THE model professional.
Yeeees, I love the attitude, happy to have him here and I hate to bitch on a positive thread but I wish he would stop scything players down in great free-kick positions, I commend the scything but please try to do it around the halfway line in future Tommy, ok?
Is there any link to the original Dutch article?
Flemish surely?
Depends on the part of Belgium really. They’re hardly a country
Tom Vermaelen,
Tom Vermaelen,
Tom Vermaaaaaeeelen number five!
Fuck your Rooneys,
Fuck your Drogbas,
He will eat those cunts alive!
Fantastic att!
Keep your head up son. people usually assume that not playing automatically links one with a move away…….well eat shit!
What if wenger plays him as a attacking mid? Would love to see that for sure..
No, it’s understandable to think so, but just because a player is good at attacking doesn’t mean he should be played in a default attacking position.
Vermaelen’s surges forward are effective because he’s had time to pick out a channel on the field to run directly through, he’s had time to accelerate, and he’s surprised the opponents… in other words because he’s started in Defence.
There’s some people we’re gonna need you to verminate Captain, so file those studs down and stay sharp!
” I know the football world thinks and is very opportunistic, but Arsène Wenger does not do that.” The reason why people find him stubborn at times but the man is principled. Wish I were half decisive.
Aye, people often criticise his stubborn nature but as with so many people, his greatest weakness is also his greatest strength…
Wait a minute, who uses Google + ?
Great attitude….but unfortunately he can’t defend
Vermaelen is such a wonderful ‘gentleman’ with a matured-attitude.
Keep getting those ‘nitros’ we will need them against the shities, cunts and the orcs of the BPL.
COYG!!!
Wise talk from a wise leader. keep up the attitude and your chance will come soon. The Verminator returns!!!
You have to love such an established veteran with such a positive attitude. That said, I might be more excited if, at the time of last year’s demotion, he wasn’t making the same mistakes over and over again. After years of seeing him so easily get pulled out of position, I’m not optimistic this leopard can change his spots.
What stands out for me the most, is when he resigned for Arsenal while all the top players were fleeing the club. He was a superstar then and attracting interest from other top clubs, and instead of fueling the negative energy targeted at the club, he signed the damn contract. I think that is when Arsene decided that he will make him captain, because he had stood by him, when no one else did. P.S. Definitely you have to be a good footballer to be in the team, but other things are equally essential.
Great attitiude from the official club captain if not necessarily the on field captain of recent times. Injuries and suspensions will happen over the course of a season, especially at a club like Arsenal. TV5 will get his chance again for a run of games, I have no doubt about that and when he does, he has to make it extremely difficult for Wenger to make a decision when Per, Kos and TV5 are all fit. Isn’t it great though that should an injury or suspension occur to our either of our starting 2 CB’s, we have Vermanator or even… Read more »
Still a committed player and expect he should get better as his attitude is right.
Absolutely like the way he took Reid to task for the challenge on Ryo.
I think the player we need to find a back up for at the moment is Metersecker.
He turns 29 (or is). After the striker, our next acquisition should be a younger Cback with height.
Miquel should be assessed end of season, Hayden still likely too young.
TV5 and Koscielny play a similar game. They may not necessarily be at their best together.
@Danger Mouse. Sorry pal, I got the name first. Can you be Penfold or something ?
People so easily forget. He was indispensable in 2011-12. That’s why we call him the Verminator. He is one of the best CBs in the world and the Verminator shall rise again.