Despite not being a 1st choice option for Arsene Wenger, Thomas Vermaelen said that he will continue being in Arsenal. Having only made a very limited number of appearances for the English club, he has fallen behind the pecking order of the French tactician who prefers choosing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker ahead of the Belgium defender.
“I’m still confident I can play for this club,” he said. “I keep reading stories that I want to leave. But that’s not the case. I’m still focused on the team. I am always positive. In any case it is not about my situation. It’s what the team does and I am really happy that we’re top of the league.” Said Vermaelen.
The Belgium defender made his move to Arsenal in 2009 and made an immediate impact into the club as he scored 7 goals in 33 matches and being a rock solid defender as he helped the club clinch a 3rd place finish.
A achilles injury saw him unable to play up until the season of 2011-12 once more making impressive performances for the team that earned him in the captain armband around the same time that Van Persie left Arsenal but ever since he was pointed out as being the leader of the team, his appearances took a downhill fall.
His constant runs upfront in search of goals and the defensive abilities he showed some seasons ago just seemed to disappear and Wenger had no option left but choose Mertesacker and Koscielny ahead of Vermaelen. The defensive duo have proved to be a good choice for Arsenal as they are one of the clubs that has conceded less goals in this season but this leaves no place for Vermaelen.
The 28 years old defender already said he will not exit the club but considering the lack of matches and with the World Cup edging closer and closer, it might just be his best option to set his sights away from Arsenal.