Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen has said that he will fight for a future at the Premier league club Arsenal after falling out of favour with manager Wenger in recent months.
Vermaelen has been one of the best players from Arsenal since arriving at the club from Ajax in a £ 12 million deal a few years ago. His performances have even led to him being named as the captain of the team after the departure of Robin van Persie in the summer. However, there has been talk of Barcelona coming in for his services in the summer (as well as rumours of a move to Anfield by an lfc fanzine, which has apparently affected his form.
He has not been a regular first-team player for Arsenal since the turn of the year, while he has been consistently dropped in recent weeks. Wenger has been favouring Laurent Koscielny and Mertesacker in recent weeks, while they have also not let down the Frenchman by pushing Arsenal to several clean sheets in the last few matches. This in turn has had a positive effect at the club, as they are in with a chance of finishing in the top four. After being on the bench for the recent 0-0 draw with Everton, Vermaelen has said that he will work hard in order to regain his first-team spot.
Wenger also said that he has a future at the club.
“Thomas is one of the best defenders in England, like the two others. I told them at the start of the season we have three outstanding central defenders. It is about game by game that I make a decision, and it is about partnership as well. Vermaelen has been a substitute for quite a few games and he still plays a big part in the game. I don’t see him as a substitute at all,” said Wenger after the Everton match.