Why Wenger Has Hit The Jackpot With Thomas Vermaelen

So, after all the talk of where Thomas Vermaelen was going to end up in January, it seems as though he will be staying put at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has told Sky Sports that the Belgium international is suffering from lack of playing time but is yet to see him above a move away from the club. For me, Wenger has struck it lucky, as the centre-back is surely one of the best ‘back up’ defenders in the entire Premier League.

For a player like Vermaelen – club captain, 46-time Belgium international and part of the 2009/10 Premier League player of the year – to be content to stay at the club to fight for his place is a testament to the 28-year-old.

 Over the years Vermaelen has gained a reputation for being a warrior off the ball but a graceful ballerina-type player on it. One minute he will be ploughing through the back of a centre-forward or dominating them in the air, but as soon as the ball is at his feet he will simply roll it to whoever is around him.

He has completed 91% of his passes this term in his three appearances, as well as winning half of his tackles and headed duels.

Should something go wrong with Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny, then to have someone of Vermaelen’s calibre to come in and cover is nothing short of a miracle. 

Gunners, what do you think?