Vermaelen Signs New Long-Term Contract

[Fats]

Sorry dude, but RVP has been given a number of new contracts, and off the back of some very long lay offs. You quite rightly point out that he is worth it, as his talent is undeniable when fit.

However, exactly the same can be said with Vermaelen when fit. Everyone has been desperate to have him back and playing, and the reason for this, is that he is a very talented, committed, leader and defender. It's obvious from watching him what he can bring to the side.

So, it wasn't zimm-basing, per say, it was picking up on the negativity he exuded when everyone was actually pleased to have some good news. His point may be valid to an extent, but you can't on the one hand say Vermaelen signing is not positive, yet RVP signing would be, when both players have been injury prone, and both players have talent.

I think RVP's situation is different than Verm's

RVP has a history with the club of which an additional contract extension and subsequant pay rise would have been off the back of performances and longevity.

Verms has been with us 3 seasons and as much as I really like him as a player, he had 1 good season. Im not sure that qualifies as such.

Im glad however that he has a contract extension, but when you hear the club pleading poverty it sticks in the throat.

[Fats]

I was under the impression that Vermaelens injuries have been down to a strange genetic condition to do with his achilles. They have now been sorted on BOTH feet so it is unlikely he will be facing these spells out again. Also as far as I'm aware these are the only major injuries hes sustained.

Yup but since he has not played consistency so we dont know the effects on playing week in week out as yet.

[Syn]

Achilles...if you've fucked them up, what happens? You can't jump high? You can't run fast? If so, it's a bit of a handicap for a central defender ain't it?

[Fist of Lehmann]

I think RVP's situation is different than Verm's

RVP has a history with the club of which an additional contract extension and subsequant pay rise would have been off the back of performances and longevity.

Yeah but...
How'd do you think he established that history or longevity with the club?

He did it by signing new contracts, despite the fact that he had never given us a whole season. (And still hasn't).

We didn't sign him on a 9 year contract at 21 you know.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Syn, you can do all those things, it's just more likely they'll hurt them again. I'll clarify - it's not an injury you can't recover from...it's just the weakness is more exposed than any other possible long term injury, except possibly for the back.

[Syn]

"He has had the problem on both sides, it is exactly the same injury," Wenger said. "It is a little tendon called plantaris that pushes on your achilles tendon … only 25% of the population has it. It must come from the time when we were animals, on our four feet.

"The only difference is that for the first injury [last season], it took us a while to find the real source because at the start everybody said, 'It's an achilles problem' because he felt the pain there but when we made the scan, the achilles was completely clean. It's an injury that exists … one that has only been discovered 18 months ago.

"There's no medical reason why he should not play 50 games on the trot now. I was always a bit suspicions [about] why should it happen only on one side. I thought that at some stage the other side will come as well and it did."

Not very Christian of Arsene, is it?

I like reading Wenger's comments these days. Sounds like a more intelligent Karl Pilkington, IMO. Usually worth a chuckle.

[Syn]

Syn, you can do all those things, it's just more likely they'll hurt them again. I'll clarify - it's not an injury you can't recover from...it's just the weakness is more exposed than any other possible long term injury, except possibly for the back.

Ah, ok - cheers.

I'll take your word over our medical team. Seriously.

[Fist of Lehmann]

No, GW does too.

Wait...who signed these mutants?

Letters out tbf.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ah, ok - cheers.

I'll take your word over our medical team. Seriously.

Thanks, I think.

[Coney]

Achilles...if you've fucked them up, what happens? You can't jump high? You can't run fast? If so, it's a bit of a handicap for a central defender ain't it?

Not if you are signing for the Arsenal.