Vermaelen has point to prove

The Belgian centre-half endured an injury-hit 2010/11 campaign, restricting him to just five first-team appearances.

His troubles stood in stark contrast to the highs of his debut season in England, when he figured in 45 games and became the rock at the heart of the Gunners' back four.

Vermaelen is determined to get back to that level again this term, with a full pre-season programme set to have him in peak physical condition.

The 25-year-old is hoping that will remain the case throughout the campaign, with his recent injury nightmare making him hungrier than ever to help Arsenal end their barren run without a major trophy.
Excited

"I am really excited, especially after last year," Vermaelen told the club's official website.

"I want to prove myself again and show the people what I'm able to do.

"Personally, yes, of course I am more determined, I played a lot of games in my first year and I hoped to do well in my second year but unfortunately I had a big injury and I couldn't play a lot so I couldn't show the people a lot.

"I'm determined to go on the pitch this year and fight for it.

"But the most important thing is the team of course and I hope we can work as hard as we can as individuals and make the team as strong as we can."

no need to prove anything Verminator, your clearance against Fulham will make anyone shut his pie hole.

Yeah, his first season here already proved enough. Only thing he has to prove is that he's fully surpassed that injury.

Welcome back!

He is our future Captain for sure.

future captain = Wilshere
Vermaelen also maybe
Wojeich also
maybe even Walcott

If Cesc leaves Velmaelen will be captain, Jack will next in line.

Raptorgunner wrote:If Cesc leaves Velmaelen will be captain, Jack will next in line.

Agreed. He was already captain at Ajax when he came here. He's actually a better natural leader than Fabregas will ever be.

Sushi Master wrote:

Raptorgunner wrote:If Cesc leaves Velmaelen will be captain, Jack will next in line.

Agreed. He was already captain at Ajax when he came here. He's actually a better natural leader than Fabregas will ever be.

He said it himself that he wants to be Arsenal captain one day, I think in his first year he said it.

He has made a great impact in the first season.. Really hoping that he comes back atleast to that level after that long injury..

I will be pissed of if wenger plays him at left back, he is our best centre half.

[quote="gunnerlistick"]I will be pissed of if wenger plays him at left back, he is our best centre half.[/quoteI


I would rather Verm to play LB than gibbs to be honest, or start verm there at the beggining of the season and see how gibbs improves in the near future

[quote="getdarker"]

gunnerlistick wrote:I will be pissed of if wenger plays him at left back, he is our best centre half.[/quoteI


I would rather Verm to play LB than gibbs to be honest, or start verm there at the beggining of the season and see how gibbs improves in the near future

He has been playing LB all his life

[quote="Raptorgunner"]

getdarker wrote:

gunnerlistick wrote:I will be pissed of if wenger plays him at left back, he is our best centre half.[/quoteI


I would rather Verm to play LB than gibbs to be honest, or start verm there at the beggining of the season and see how gibbs improves in the near future

He has been playing LB all his life

but he is out best centre half and one of the few players who are actually brave enough to put their head where it hurts and you want to play him as a left back ??

he has the potential to be a world class centre half and a
defensive leader, would be stupid to ruin that.

It not like Gibbo hasn't had any first team experience or something

If you read Wenger's interview, he says "We have Gibbs and Traore and Vermaelen can play there too.. Clearly, Vermaelen is only being expected to slot in when needed, that is, when Traore doesn't show up and Gibbs pulls some other injury out of his hat..

[quote="Raptorgunner"]

getdarker wrote:

gunnerlistick wrote:I will be pissed of if wenger plays him at left back, he is our best centre half.[/quoteI


I would rather Verm to play LB than gibbs to be honest, or start verm there at the beggining of the season and see how gibbs improves in the near future

He has been playing LB all his life

Wasn't he a left-winger up until a few years ago when Wenger told him the play LB? Vermaelen probably has more experience at fullback tbh...although I think we can all agree that Verminator is best as a CB.

Also, about the whole captain debate: if Cesc leaves, RvP will probably get the armband. Sure he is a striker, but he's been here longer, everybody loves him, and I think in the hierarchy at Arsenal he is considered the #1 vice-captain at this moment. If he gets one of those awful injuries again though, Vermaelen would likely take the role in his absence.

With Vermaelen in CB, I would really prefer him as a Captain in the future, rather than RvP.. I really don't think that strikers make great captain.. They should really stick to playing up the field and scoring good..

People playing at the back see more of the game in front of them.. They have a better reading of the game.. I feel that was a crucial factor in Viera being how good he was..

Yeah, CB or CM make the best, though if your Striker is a real top player, hard worker, they can do it well. Drogba or Rooney wouldn't make bad captains i'd say.