Author: GoonerJohn

Thomas Vermaelen, the Arsenal centre back, is in line to face The Red Devils Manchester United in the return fixture of English Premier League on the 22nd of January, 2012, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

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.

Continue reading VERMAELEN RETURNS EARLY

Thomas Vermaelen has praised his fellow Arsenal teammate Robin Van Persie by saying that the Dutch striker is probably the complete player he has ever played with.

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.

Arsenal are looking to bring in another midfielder in the January transfer window according to a number of British tabloid papers. Arsenal have been making a resurgent move up the Premier League table, but it is not going to be sufficient for them. They are recently defeated by Manchester City in the Premier League match, which all but ends their hopes of winning the Premier League title this season. As a result, Arsene Wenger is looking to replace the young midfield with some experienced players, although the kind of players who interests Arsene Wenger are usually much younger.

Continue reading Arsenal Keen on Pastore

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen was a relieved man after Yossi Benayoun popped up to save his blushes. The Gunners looked to be heading to a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, but with almost an hour player Vermaelen under hit a pass to his defensive partner Per Mertesacker and Villa man Marc Albrighton nipped in to level the scores.

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.

Continue reading Benayoun spares Vermaelen’s blushes

Thomas Vermaelen has said that he contemplated leaving Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but ended up staying at the club. Now, he says that he does not regret and is ready to stay with the club for a long time because he believes that Arsenal are making a lot of progress.

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.

Whilst Thomas Vermaelen may have been substituted early on in Arsenal’s Carling Cup victory in midweek, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects him to make a full recovery in time for the big match against Chelsea.

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.”

Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen is reportedly set to return to the Gunners’ first team this weekend.

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.