Vermaelen Signs New Long-Term Contract

[Cripps_orig]

Thomas Vermaelen claims to have no intention of leaving Arsenal, with it his desire to repay the faith shown in him by the club and Arsene Wenger.

The Belgium international arrived at Emirates Stadium from Ajax in 2009 and has gone on to become a key figure in the Gunners' first team plans.

His presence within their back four is considered to make Arsenala much stronger outfit, with his recent injury troubles having seen them struggle.

Vermaelen is honoured to be a leading figure at such an illustrious club and has hinted that he will look to see out his playing days in North London.

"I have no intention of leaving this club," the 26-year-old defender told the Sunday Mirror.

"I feel at home in London and I feel that I have become a real Gunner. Arsenal is my club. In my eyes, they belong to the absolute elite of European top clubs.

"We are going for the Champions League again and this team can grow further.

"When I was young, I dreamed of playing for Ajax and Arsenal. Both dreams have come true."

Wenger handed Vermaelen the opportunity to fulfil his Gunners dream and he will be forever grateful to the French coach for sticking by him during his injury hell.

He added: "I have never known a manager so loyal to his players. He shows immense trust and has shown incredible loyalty towards me.

"I was sidelined for a long time with two nasty injuries. But it was under the orders of the manager that the board gave me a new contract until 2015. I can't describe the joy that gave me."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...unner-for-life

Hows he been this season?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...unner-for-life

Hows he been this season?

Not great by his Standards. But he is class, so this is good news.

[Marc Overmars]

Got to love his enthusiasm to get forward, he's our 2nd best striker after all.

But he probably needs to work on his erratic defending at times. I think this is the type of CB he will always be though, so we just need to accept the good with the bad.

[Cripps_orig]

THOMAS VERMAELEN has handed Arsenal a boost by vowing to see out his career at the club.

The 26-year-old Belgian star has been in superb form for the Gunners since moving to North London from Ajax in a £10million deal in 2009.

And while Robin van Persie's future at the Emirates remains unclear, Vermaelen is in no doubt as to where he will end his playing days.

He said: "I will stay at Arsenal forever. I love London. I've got a house there, I'm happy there and I don't see any reason to ever leave the club."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...t-Arsenal.html

[Niall_Quinn]

Nice to see a player trying to stay at the club rather than get the fuck out. An a quality player too. He may not be the best defender on the planet but he's not Cygan or Stepanovs either and certainly represents a step forward rather than back. With Kos and Merts and maybe one more addition in time we could say we have at least stabilised that part of the team. Not before time of course, because it was a complete disaster zone.

[Cripps_orig]

Harsh on Cygan tbh

[hobson's choice]

Not great by his Standards. But he is class, so this is good news.

He's never been a class defender, lets not let those goals he scored when he first came,obscure that real fact about his defending. But whatever he's decent, and actually seems to care about the team.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Rather see him sign than watch us go through a series of disastrous audtions looking foe a replacement

[mastermind84]

He's never been a class defender, lets not let those goals he scored when he first came,obscure that real fact about his defending. But whatever he's decent, and actually seems to care about the team.

mmm hmmm


Most overrated non-English defender in the premiership. I have no idea how he has gotten this acclaim as a class defender, and I dont know why Arsenal fans feel the need to bestow that upon him. Arsenal fans have seen what a class centerback is many times over the years. We have one on the team right now to show Vermaelen what that is in Koscielny.

And laawd help us if Wenger makes him captain.

[-Xs-]

And laawd help us if Wenger makes him captain.

Who, Vermaelen? He doesn't want to leave, so that's not going to happen...