Arsenal’s Forgotten Man With 91% Pass Success Wants Out – Should Wenger Keep Hold?

If it’s not broken – don’t fix it. That’s a rule I live by and has proved to be a popular one in football, too. Some managers like to rotate their players to keep the squad fresh, but others, like Arsene Wenger, stick to their best team when they know it.

That’s been the case this season, especially at the back as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have held down the central spots for the vast majority. That has left former skipper Thomas Vermaelen frozen out – something that he has apparently had enough of as his agent has revealed that the Belgium international is ready to leave the Emirates in the summer – according to reports, anyway.

But should be willing to let him go?

I’ll start by saying that I don’t believe that you should keep a player against his will – that’s not good for anyone. However, With very little back up currently, I would certainly be looking to get him to stay on, and perhaps even more involved in the first team.

We know he is a centre-back who loves to get the ball down and play it on the floor, and he looks much more assured than Koscielny a lot of the time. But Wenger has opted for power and a combative style in the air and let’s be honest, it’s working.

Vermaelen has played seven games this season, four of which were substitute appearances, and a 91% pass success. That tells you a lot, but when you combine it with his average of 5.1 clearances per game, 1.3 interceptions and 1 tackle per outing, then you realise why I would suggest that the north London club keep him on.

But like I said, it’s no good keeping him against his will, is it?