As the Papiers du News (newspapers) would have it, Thomas Vermaelen’s Arsenal future is rather uncertain.
From being captain at the start of the season to third-choice centre-back for the foreseeable future at the end of it, he and Arsenal have doubts over his continued playing at the Emirates.
World Cup
With the World Cup coming up at the end of the season, Vermaelen needs to be playing fairly regularly in order to make the Belgium squad. To do this he may need to move elsewhere. Both Barcelona and Manchester United are interested, which raises a few questions:
First of all, are Arsenal better off without Vermaelen. With him out of the side and replaced by Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal haven’t lost a game. Like, at all. Not once.
What’s more, his form this term has been less than stellar, and nothing like what you’d expect from a captain. If Arsenal can get around £15m, as has been mooted, they’d be laughing. The only issue there, would be two centre-backs would need to be recruited.
And the calibre of linked defenders has been rather more fourth-choice than third-choice. One of Ashley Williams or Winston Reid behind Vermaelen is fine, but the two together as back-ups isn’t a pleasant vision.
Stay?
So, perhaps Vermaelen should stick around and fight for his place. It seems that Arsene Wenger is keen for him to do this, and Vermaelen may be happy to as well.
Arsenal know they need a strong squad with 4 competent CBs to challenge for honours next season, and Vermaelen is as good a third-choice as you’re going to get. So, hopefully he’ll at least start the season at Arsenal. A January move can’t be discounted, but it’s unlikely, I’d say, if he chooses to stay this summer.
What’s more, with a move to United mooted, that would be an interesting conflict for Arsene Wenger to face. Recently he stated he wouldn’t sell any more players to Manchester United after Robin Van Persie moved.
When asked about Manchester United’s summer plans and any players they might sign, he answered:
“I don’t know but he will not sign them from us.”
But if United come in with a generous offer and Vermaelen is willing, could Arsenal be swayed?
Selling your captain again wouldn’t be a great idea, but Arsenal wouldn’t miss him half as much as the last two that left.
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