Thomas Vermaelen insists his future remains at Arsenal.
The Belgium international was a £10million signing from Ajax in the summer of 2009, and he soon established himself as a key member of Arsene Wenger’s first team plans. Indeed, when Robin van Persie left for Manchester United last year, the defender was appointed as captain which further reinforced his importance to the starting eleven.
However, Vermaelen has just experienced the most difficult season of his time in England, having lost his place to Laurent Koscielny following the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in March. The 27-year-old started just one of their last 10 matches in the Premier League, as the Londoners picked up their form to qualify for the UEFA Champions League yet again.
His omission from Wenger’s side has inevitably sparked speculation he could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium in the summer, as he looks to gain regular action ahead of the World Cup Finals next summer. Vermaelen, though, has rubbished such speculation, and insists he is already looking ahead to next season and forcing his way back into the line-up.
“I’m happy at Arsenal,” he is quoted as saying on the Sky Sports website. “I didn’t play much and that was frustrating, but things can turn around quickly. I was on the bench, but I could just as quickly be playing again. I’m working hard to make that happen. These are things that happen in professional football. Arsenal are a great club where there is a lot of competition.”
