Arsenal will be facing Premier league club Sunderland in the fifth round of the FA Cup. They will be competing for a place in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Arsene Wenger will be aware of the fact that if Arsenal make it into the quarterfinals, then it would be only a matter of two games before Arsenal reach the finals. Thomas Vermaelen has been one of the influential players for Arsenal over the last few seasons. However, he is yet to win a major trophy with Arsenal. In order to do so, Thomas Vermaelen has said that the players should be forgetting the 4-0 defeat and concentrate on the forthcoming matches.

“When you are a professional you put the bad things that happen behind you. We have to give something back to all those Arsenal fans who came all the way out here, only for us to disappoint them. We will have to learn our lessons from what happened in Milan, but it is important at times like this to remain mentally strong,” Vermaelen said. It is also the priority for Arsenal to qualify for the Champions League next season, without the lack of which will result in serious financial implications.

The Belgian international centre back limped off the field in the second half during their English Premier League encounter against Queens Park Rangers, a match they went on to win 1-0, sparking rumours that the injury prone defender would be out for some time. But according to the manager, Vermaelen has made a rapid recovery and is already back in training and looks good to make his comeback against the reigning English champions.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the FA Cup encounter against Leeds United, the Arsenal manager said that none of his players on the recovery table will be making a comeback in their FA Cup tie or the English Premier League tie against Swansea City. However, in news that is sure to spark joy amongst the Arsenal fans, Wenger did add that their dependable centre back Thomas Vermaelen would be making a comeback by the time they face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, a match that is being seen as a grudge match after Arsenal were thrashed 8-2 at Old Trafford at the start of the season.

Wenger, however, was not so optimistic about the return of Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna but with Arsenal’s season beginning to falter once again after facing a turnaround with the sparkling form of Robin van Persie, they need a strong defence to stop leaking in the goals that they have been doing for the past few games.

According to many football experts, Arsenal don’t have anyone better than Thomas Vermaelen in that department and his return couldn’t come at a better time. His return has also had an impact on their European hopes, with their best Champions League betting odds shortening on the betting exchanges after the news that Vermaelen would be returning earlier than expected.

Robin van Persie has been one of the most influential players for Arsenal in the last few years, but his form has particularly been extraordinary in the calendar year 2011. So far, he has scored 33 goals in 34 matches for Arsenal in 2011 alone, while his very close to equalling the record set by Thierry Henry for the Invincibles in 2004. He is also only a few goals short of the all-time Premier League record set by Alan Shearer in 1995.

Now, Thomas Vermaelen, who is regarded as one of the best defenders at Arsenal, has come out in praise of the Dutchman. He has said that Robin van Persie has become much more complete in recent seasons after the departure of high profile players. Now, he has become a true captain for the club in every way. A lot has been spoken about Arsenal’s ability to keep in a challenge for the top four positions, but they have been able to maintain it in due to the exploits of Robin van Persie.

Thomas Vermaelen says that he is hoping that Robin van Persie signs a new contract with Arsenal. “I knew before that he was a quality, world-class player and that technically he was really good. It’s amazing if you play with him, even in training. He’s scoring goals now and his game is more complete,” Thomas Vermaelen said in the official website of Arsenal. Following the injury to Kieran Gibbs, Thomas Vermaelen will be assuming the role as the left back for Arsenal in the busy Christmas fixture list, and the Belgian defender hopes to do a better job in this new position as well.

Javier Pastore has opened the door for a move to Arsenal by saying that he wants to play for a bigger team. Pastore moved to French club Paris St Germain in the summer for around £ 35 million, thus making him one of the most expensive youngsters in the world. However, he has been hit and miss at the French capital, and now he has revealed that he would like to move to either England or Spain in the summer. Pastore would certainly appeal to Arsene Wenger given that he has the right mixture of talent and experience. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would consider submitting a bid for Pastore in the January transfer window – in spite of the fact that they are one of the favourites on the Champions League Betting indexes, Arsenal need more quality in their midfield if they are to progress to the Final.

‘I train with great conviction in order to realise my dream of playing with a big team. If I want a team bigger than PSG to contact me, then it depends on me,’ Javier Pastore in an interview when asked about his future at PSG. David Beckham is all set to join PSG in the summer, but that is unlikely to prevent Javier Pastore from staying at the club. He would command at least £ 40 million in transfer fees.

Arsenal have already secured Thierry Henry’s return on loan.

Arsenal toiled for the rest of the game and at times Villa threatened to steal all three points. But with three minutes left to play Robin van Persie, who had opened the scoring with a first-half penalty, floated in a cross and substitute Benayoun headed home a winner.

Writing on Twitter after the match, Vermaelen was unable to hide his relief.

Great win today! I wasn’t easy. Thanks to @YossiBenayoun15!! U saved me today mate,” he said.

The win leaves Arsenal in fifth with 32 pointed, behind Chelsea on goal difference, although the Blues have a game in hand.

Speaking after the match, manager Arsene Wenger admitted the win had been crucial as the side looks to keep up the pressure on the side occupying the top four.

“We have to give credit to Villa who had an outstanding commitment and quality. They’re a good side when they play with that kind of attitude.” Anyone following the online Premier League odds will have been surprised.

“Our formidable spirit got us through and Yossi Benayoun got us three more points from the corner – which is unusual for us. And we’re very happy,” he told Sky Sports News.

Thomas Vermaelen has been one of the important defenders for Arsenal in the last few years since moving from Ajax in 2009. However, it is thought that he grew tired of the fact that Arsenal were unable to challenge for the top trophies. So far, he has made 43 League appearances for Arsenal, but he has already grown up to the stature of being a suitable replacement for William Gallas.

The 26-year-old has been absent in the Arsenal defence for most of the season, but he has returned from injury to a distant to the Arsenal team in a crucial stage of the season. Even though Arsenal started extremely poorly, they have since gone on an excellent run that has put them in an excellent position to challenge for the Champions League qualification places. Despite this excellent run, the prospect of them winning the Premier League title looks to be faint.

Speaking after his return from injury, Thomas Vermaelen said: “I thought long and hard about my contract with Arsenal – for a really long time. I knew people outside the club had doubts. The most important thing is that I feel happy. I’ve only really played one full season Arsenal, so I wanted to give something back to the club, and stayed.”

Thomas Vermaelen scored an own goal against Fulham, but was quick to rectify it by scoring at the other end to equalise for Arsenal.

The Belgian international had only just returned to first-team action, but lasted just over an hour before he had to be taken off on Tuesday night. Thankfully this has proved to be nothing too serious, and he has the chance of lining up alongside Per Mertesacker in the heart of the Arsenal defence against Chelsea on Saturday.

“Vermaelen might be available to be in the squad,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“We’ll have to assess him. He is not injured. He came off with a calf problem on Tuesday in the Carling Cup.

“It was cramp because he has not played for a long time and he only had one training session. As I say he is not injured but he might be a little bit short for a game of that intensity.”

The Belgian international has been out of action for the Emirates outfit since August, picking up a serious achilles injury whilst away with his country.

However, the 25-year-old came through 90 minutes for the Arsenal second string in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United last Thursday, and the Daily Mail reports Vermaelen is in-line for a comeback at the Britannia Stadium.

Whilst the Gunners are still mathematically in the title race, second appears to the be the more realistic target for Arsene Wenger’s side as they aim to end the season on a high following victory against the Red Devils on Sunday.

A senior return for Vermaelen would add another positive to the end-of-season party at Arsenal, and could be the first building block towards a successful campaign next term.

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