Arsenal – Thomas Vermaelen

EXPECTED ARSENAL LINE-UP VS FC ZURICH AS VERMAELEN TIPS GUNNERS FOR VICTORY

Arsenal start their Europa League group stage campaign with an away trip to FC Zurich this evening. The Gunners saw their perfect start to the season end with a 3-1 Premier League loss to Manchester United on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta will want a strong response. The Spaniard is still expected to make numerous changes to the starting line-up, considering a few of them may need to be rested after starting six games on the bounce.

Formation: 4-3-3

Arsenal’s expected line-up:

Matt Turner looks set for his competitive Arsenal debut. The United States international is likely to remain the Gunners’ first-choice keeper during the group stage of the Europa League. Aaron Ramsdale could feature in the knockout phase if the club qualify. Continue reading EXPECTED ARSENAL LINE-UP VS FC ZURICH AS VERMAELEN TIPS GUNNERS FOR VICTORY

ARSENAL URGED TO MAKE A SWOOP FOR WANTAWAY BARCA STAR MEMPHIS

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Memphis Depay is the subject of interest from Arsenal over a possible move in the summer transfer window. Barcelona will look to recoup €15 million from the sale of the Dutch forward, who does not feature in Xavi Hernandez’s plans. Memphis Depay is in a spot of bother ahead of his second season with Barcelona. The 28-year-old had ended his debut campaign with the Blaugrana as their top scorer for 2021/22, finding the back of the net 13 times in 38 games across all competitions despite blowing hot and cold for more than half the term.

But with Barcelona investing heavily in the attacking unit this year, Depay has fallen down the pecking order. The Catalan giants have secured the services of Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski in 2021. And with Ousmane Dembele signing a new contract, Depay is closer to the bottom of the priority list of options at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal. Continue reading

ARSENAL: THOMAS VERMAELEN ANNIVERSARY IN FOCUS

It has been over a decade since North London club Arsenal paid a sizeable transfer fee to sign Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian star left Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam to sign for Arsenal in the summer of 2009. Thomas Vermaelen was the only major arrival for the Gunners during the summer transfer window thirteen years ago.

In addition to signing a good player with Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal also balanced the books with his signing as the situation was in the first years after moving to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made limited moves to strengthen his team in the transfer window as this was essential to pay off the stadium debts. Continue reading

Thomas Vermaelen confident injury problems are behind him

Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen is looking forward to contributing towards Barcelona’s success after having overcome his concerns with regular injuries. The former Arsenal man started the campaign as the fourth-choice defender, but injuries to Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti have enabled him cement a regular role in central defence alongside Gerard Pique.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Vermaelen is pleased to have gone unscathed for more than a year, and he is aiming to integrate into prove his worth to the Catalan giants, he said: “I understand that people had doubts about my physical condition because in recent years I have had a few physical problems. But since November 2016 I have not had any more problems and I’ve been feeling good for a year. I know I have a reputation as a player made of glass, but I have managed to overcome that. I knew I had the ability to play for Barca but in previous years, due to injuries, I had not been able to show what I am capable of.”
Continue reading Thomas Vermaelen confident injury problems are behind him

BARCELONA TO TRADE ARDA TURAN FOR COUTINHO

Reports in Spain claim Barcelona are willing to let ArdaTuran join Liverpool this summer as the Catalan side remain desperate for the signature of Philippe Coutinho.

Barca have been linked with the player for long but the Reds are insistent on keeping the playmaker.

Barcelona, who are searching for new employers for Turan, want to use the former Atletico Madrid man as a deal sweetener to convince Anfield to release Coutinho to them. Turan joined in 2015 but he had to wait until the following year to have his debut due to a transfer ban.

The Turk faced a tough time initially but seemed to find his feet with time. His ball control and dribbling skills were not enough to immerse him in the team. He was a top attacking talent at Vicente Calderon but he has not been able to make his mark at the Nou Camp. Continue reading BARCELONA TO TRADE ARDA TURAN FOR COUTINHO

Crystal Palace plot move for Thomas Vermaelen

Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer is prepared to offer an escape route to Thomas Vermaelen, who has had a miserable spell at Barcelona.

The Belgium international joined the Catalan giants from Arsenal back in the summer of 2014 and has since missed large spells of first-team football through injuries.

Vermaelen has been absent for 65 games in total over the past three seasons including 17 in a season-long loan with AS Roma last term. In spite of this, he has performed efficiently whenever on the playing field, and he has the desire to return to England during this summer’s transfer window.

According to The Sun, the Eagles could lodge a transfer attempt to sign the former Gunners centre-back with de Boer keen on adding more options in the central defensive department. Mamadou Sakho proved a huge hit during his short-term loan from Liverpool last season, but a permanent deal looks a long way off the cards with the Reds having placed a hefty £30m price tag. Continue reading Crystal Palace plot move for Thomas Vermaelen

THOMAS VERMAELEN WEDS LOVER AMID CAREER ISSUES

Former Barcelona star Thomas Vermaelen had wedded his lover Wag Polly Parsons.

The former Arsenal defender wed the lingerie model and TV presenter. Vermaelen used to see Dutch model Aimee van Ommen while Polly was engaged to Sid Owen before meeting the player at a party organized by Robin van Persie.

The 31-year old spent five years at the Emirates before agreeing to a move to Barcelona in 2014. Injuries have plagued his career and after time at AS Roma, the player might not have much left of his career.

Nou Camp are set to make him the first player off as new coach Ernesto Velverde works on the squad. The flop was linked with Premier League side Watford FC but now he is likely to join Turkish side Besiktas.The deal is believed to be around £4.5 million compared to the sum Barca paid the Gunners for him three years back. Continue reading THOMAS VERMAELEN WEDS LOVER AMID CAREER ISSUES

WATFORD WANT THOMAS VERMAELEN

Premier League side Watford FC are reportedly interested in landing injury ravaged player Thoma Vermaelen this summer.

Arsenal used to own the player and the Belgian spent five years at the Emirates before he moved to Barcelona in 2014. Barcelona inherited a player that has barely contributed anything meaningful despite paying £15 million for the move to the Nou Camp.

Watford had an underwhelming season but they seem to be planning a resurgence after a decent 2015/16 season. They want the 31-year old centre back to join their back line despite his long history with injuries.

Barcelona thought a change in league would do Vermaelen some good. They shipped the player off to AS Roma this season on a loan deal with the option of a permanent purchase. But Roma also barely enjoyed the player, so they passed up the offer to sign him permanently. He is set to return to Barca this summer as he is under contract until 2019. Continue reading WATFORD WANT THOMAS VERMAELEN

Vermaelen wants to play again

Thomas Vermaelen said that he is desperate to play regularly and that he wants to win his place back in the first team.

The Roma defender stated that he has been enjoying a poor season so far where he has suffered numerous injuries, but he feels that he is getting better.

The former Arsenal player said that there is nothing worst for a footballer to find your teammates enjoying themselves on the pitch while you are watching from the stand. He stated that he is a competitive player and that he always wants to be on the pitch fighting for his team.

Indeed Thomas Vermaelen has suffered many injuries ever since he made a move to Roma and he feels that it is high time that he gets a good run in the team. Continue reading Vermaelen wants to play again

Where can Thomas Vermaelen revive his career?

Thomas Vermaelen was expected to take his game to a whole new level when he left Arsenal for Barcelona in the summer of 2014 for £15 million, but things have gone horribly wrong for the defender. Injuries and fitness issues have massively affected the centre-back, who is now on loan at Italian club AS Roma.

Vermaelen has been able to play just nine league games for an AS Roma side who are set to finish in the top three of Serie A this season. When the 31-year-old centre-back has featured for the Giallorossi, his performances have been less than impressive.

Roma have the option to sign the former Arsenal centre-back on a permanent contract in the summer transfer window, but it is unlikely that the Italian club will pay money for a player they do not need. As for Barcelona, given the Belgium international’s injury issues and his age, the Spanish giants may not be too inclined to have him on their books for the 2017-18 campaign. Continue reading Where can Thomas Vermaelen revive his career?