Vermaelen is keen to prove the defender’s worth to the team.
Many could be forgiven for having forgotten that Thomas Vermaelen is actually the Arsenal captain, due to the limited opportunities the centre-back now gets for the club.
When the Belgium international first arrived in north London the 27-year-old was a key part of Arsene Wenger’s plans, but since the emergence of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker as a central defensive partnership Vermaelen has struggled for a place.
Despite having the versatility to also operate at left-back, the manager has only fielded the defender twice so far in the 2013/14 season, but the Belgian is keen to prove his worth to the side – especially in a World Cup year.
“There are so many games in a year that that opportunity comes anyway. For now the manager picks for Per and Laurent, and you have to accept that,” Vermaelen told Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.
“You may become frustrated but that does not help you move forward. I am confident that I will get chances again if I keep working on training.
“My relationship with Arsene Wenger is no different than other players. Our relationship is good. We talk occasionally but ultimately he makes the decisions. In my whole time at Arsenal my relationship has only been positive.
“In football, it is sometimes hard to think far ahead because it depends on many factors.”
Vermaelen’s national side Belgium have basically booked their place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after an extremely successful qualifying campaign and with the likes of Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen in the squad, the Arsenal skipper will have to prove a lot to get a place.
“Dapatkan rumor transfer dan berita tentang Arsenal dalam Bahasa Indonesia di fanatix ID!”
COMMENTS