Never said that they were not good, they've had a good season which has kept Vermaelen out the squad. Sometimes for a player things don't their way, and for Arsenal it 's difficult since his injuries. But undoubtedly he has the talent and skill and will prove it under Van Gaal's tenure.
He was first choice for Bremen, has 98 caps for Germany and is still their first choice centre back. He is up there as one of the best centre backs in the world. Koscielny is not as good but plays a different game that complements Mert. And he has demonstrated that he plays better than Vermaelen next to Mertesacker so he deserves to be there. Our drubbings this season are down to (lack of) tactics, not the individual ability of the defenders. Koscielny IS better than Vermaelen. Anyone watching Arsenal play can see that. So really, who cares if he leaves? And £10m for a backup defender in the last year of his contract, why not? He goes to United, fine... not ideal. But he's not suddenly going to turn into a better defender than Mertesacker or Koscielny. If Van Gaal gets the United defence solid then it will be solid regardless of whether Vermaelen is there or not.
But again, you have no evidence that he 'undoubtedly has the talent and skill'. And even if does have it hidden away somewhere... he doesn't show it for us, so who really cares if he leaves? The only evidence that exists for the past year is that he is not as good as Koscielny and Mertesacker.
You on one hand dismiss the drubbings (in the previous post) as tactical deficiencies, but don't offer the same courtesy to Vermaelen for his loss of form? In his early days for us, everyone on this forum spoke of how good he was. They all recognized how good an overall player he was. He had it all, strength, power, speed, awareness, leadership and an attacking threat. I still think he is a classy player and will shine given the right platform.
I guess if he's only got a year left in his contract and it won't be renewed (not sure if it's club or player who are behind this) then it's a gamble of either selling him now or getting nothing for him in twelve months; either way he could go to a league rival. As far as I'm concerned he's the weakest centre back at the club, which is a shame considering his first season success. Wenger must surely try to find at least one CB now, should Vermaelen actually leave.
Kos is currently in a purple patch at the moment, and is one of the best CBs on form at the moment. Its unfortunate for Verm that Mertz and Kos have formed a really good partnership. Verm has lost his way through injuries etc and it has impacted his confidence massively. He doesn't look like the same imposing defender that he once was. Its sad that he is leaving but for his career it is a good move. Its a shame that he is going to a direct rival and to a good manager that I think will bring the best out of him.
His big injury was over three years ago. No excuses now. Koscienly's purple patch 'at the moment' as you describe it has lasted longer than Vermaelen's purple patch when he first joined. You're right... it's unfortunate for Vermaelen that Koscielny and Mertesacker are better than him.
Vermaelen leaving, provided a decent CB was brought in BEFORE he left so Arsenal were SURE they would have one would not bother me overly as Mert & Kos are the nailed-on starting 2. The problem is after Kos & Mert, Verm is the ONLY CB now that Sagna has left, which means Arsenal will require TWO CB's to have adequate depth for the new season - and I'm not sure anyone can see them signing 2 new CB's?? In addition, it would only not bother me if he wasn't going to a direct rival. Like it or not, Man Utd are very unlikely to be as poor next season as they were last. Strengthening them is just stupid.
Aurier seemingly played at CB for Toulouse on many occasions last season, so if he comes in then he can deputise just like Sagna. It's a big 'if' though.
Serge Aurier can play centre back too so I assume him and a genuine centre back will be all AW goes for.
According to David Ornstein of the BBC,Thomas Vermaelen's agent has denied stories about Vermaelen signing a deal to join any club.
Most reliable source on the tinters has this: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...Real-Sociedad-for-Mexican-striker-Carlos-Vela Assuming it's also true we get £5.6m for the Fabregas deal that's £13.6m extra for not a lot. That should get us Aurier and a backup keeper. Campbell coming back for nothing. Leaving the rest of the £100m for a ST, CD and DM.
How come Barca had to give you £5.6m? I understood they only had to give you 50% of any profit made. They only made £3m profit, so I thought it was £1.5m they owed you, where did the £5.6m figure come from? (I am pretty ignorant on football finances, by choice, it puts me to sleep most of the time)
You really believe Wenger's going to spend £113.6 million ???? Take away the £100 million and you'll probably be closer !!
Yes, but we're not Chelsea. Sociedad made him good, would be very unfair on them for us to take all the profit.
I don't know... this it the daily star after all... they make all their figures up anyway don't they?!
If the Sociedad owner was telling the truth when he said Vela wanted to stay, then maybe signing him back was out of the question anyway. Whether it's wise to buy a player simply to sell him on ASAP is another question entirely; after all, you've got to pay wages, the initial fee, and hope that he's actually still saleable a year down the line. £10.5m seems maybe a little cheap considering his recent form, but maybe Arsenal will be wise enough to demand a % of profit fee as part of the sale
