I think it's going to be interesting to see what Wenger decides to do with Vermalen in the summer. IMO, there is no chance of him breaking up the Metersacker- Koscielny because those two as a pair have been fantastic. But, Vermaelen is still the captain of our club and I just can't see that situation being allowed to carry on. What's the point of Vermaelen being captain when he can't even get into the first team? Every summer, we tend to sell off one our more established players and this summer we could see the back of Vermaelen. There has been some talk about Barca wanting him and I think at the right price, I would get rid. There is also the option of taking the captaincy off him and just making him a squad player. But with the world cup coming up, I can't see Vermaelen being happy with that role.
I'd be surprised if Wenger wants to get rid of him, he was still first choice a couple of months ago. If he wants to leave then maybe..
I don't know. I am very worried about heading into the season with only 2 CBs with a year in the team under their belts. While Vermaelen has dropped down to 3rd choice right now, it seems that he is a victim of the polarity of opinion where a player is either brilliant or rubbish, nothing in between. I don't think his failings are anything that can't be rectified. I would still take him over a large number of CBs out there, and very possibly all of the CBs that are available to us as replacements. So for me, it is the same argument as Djourou. Let's not send the chap to the rubbish tip before we have something better. I never buy this "Anyone is better" argument.
Agreed A couple of seasons ago Vermaelen was the best thing since sliced bread, he's still a very good player but his form has deserted him this season - and rightly so he's been dropped for Kos/Mert combo. But that's not to say that he can't force his way back into the team and given that we're light on CBs I think it would be stupid to sell him. That said, the issue of the captaincy still remains and I can't see how our captain can be second choice. I think Wenger needs to give the armband to somebody else and tell Vermaelen to get his head down and work hard to get back in the team.
I'd give the captaincy to either Arteta or (if we sign him) Gonalons. Gonalons is a very sharp cookie, and makes a good captain at Lyon, so should make a good leader here.
oh well, a month ago nobody even mentioned his name, the guy did not exist, never mind was on any fan's wish list. Now, a couple of gutter press stories and he is almost Arsenal captain.. This is a great idea - just give the chap Arsenal captaincy and then try to sign him. -Who's Arsenal captain? -Gonalons -Who's Gonalons? -Some bloke playing for Lyon..
As for Vermaelen I can see no problem at all, more than that - this is one of the few areas where we have no problems because we are covered. This is not a problem, this is called "competition". We always wanted a real competition for places now when we finally have it we call it a problem.. I believe one of the reasons why or current CBs are so good is exactly this - the real competiton for a CB place. Mert had to work hard to earn his place, now Kos is wearing his socks off because he knows he can be benched any day and Verm can slot back in with no problem at all. Vermaelen is a professional under huge money contract, he simply has to work hard and do what Wenger says, simple as that. And there will be a lot of matches for him to play during the next season. I would like to see the same "problem" in every position. We will have the problem when Bayern comes for Kos and persuades him to move to Munich. THIS will be the problem. Especially if Wenger would be stupid enough to listen to an advice to sell TV. I never rated TV as high as some fans here, and always said that he is a decent defender, not a great one. And I can only repeat it now - he is not a world beater but good enough to play for us. As for the captaincy - I really do not care. Having had four our captains leaving the club in quick succession I do not care any more. Arteta wear the armband when TV is not playing and this is fine. Some day JW will probably grow into a proper Arsenal captain and true leader, but for now captaincy is not important.
Wenger often does this with Goalkeepers. He doesnt know who his best partnership is - its that simple. Just you wait - next time Koscileney or Mertesacker get injured Vermaelen will come in and then KEEP his place until he himself picks up an injury.
I think initially Wenger envisaged Vermaelen-Koscielny as his first choice CBs. He had that idea of a mobile, technically sound high line defending and both TV and Kos (at least on paper) looked like they fit the bill. Mert was bought to play against certain long ball teams we struggled against. But it did not work the way he wanted. Kos+TV proved to be too risky and leaked a lot of goals, Mert all of a sudden showed some unexpected qualities and established himself as a cert starter - simply because KOS-TV did not work. Now Wenger was facing a TV - Kos dilemma. Kos looked like a better defender, but TV has already established himself as a fighter, "a leader"(oops) and he was already the captain. And the team needed that as well, and quite badly. So Wenger had to forget about his idea of two mobile fast attacking central defenders and played Mert-TV until Vermaelen form deteriorated under pressure. Now I think Kos+Mert is a cert first choice, even though am sure Wenger wants to come back to his initial idea and sees Mertesaker as a compromise. So Mert has to prove himself time and time again. I am sure Wenger rates Kos as his best CBso it will be difficult for TV to come back as the first choice. But I think Wenger is wise enough to keep the right balance, all three are capable palyers and should paly.
As long as its managed properly he can be stripped of the captaincy and given the task of refinding his best form. I think he can do it and is still capable of being our first choice CB with Mert. Kos is good at what he does but I haven't changed my view that he is a one trick pony which is rely on pace and attack the ball at all times. At least Verm has more to his game than that and has better positional sense and is more of a team payer capable of covering when another player is tackling (compared to Kos who will still try to attack the ball and not worry what happens if that player gets past him). The reason the Mert - Kos partnership is working well is because Mert will sit back and cover for Kos so he makes Kos seem better than he is because he mops up after Kos makes mistakes.
FFS the captaincy is a irrelevancy there is no point to it. Honestly do like the Italians just hand it to the oldest player on the pitch. Being a captain in football is like being an idealist in politics its nice but ultimately ****ing pointless. This isn't cricket where the captain makes decisions its a figure head at best. The place of a player should be irrelevant to the armband. That being sad keep TV and add another young defender and sell of Djourou and Squid. Someone like Papadoupulous (sp?) from Shalke and then we will have some real competition in there. If wenger goes out and buys an established CB and a solid young one then look into getting rid of TV otherwise addition is the need not subtraction.
Can see him being sold sadly. Any of City, PSG and Barca could be in for him this Summer and if the price is right we will definitely take the money. If Barca really do want him, lets hope we can do some sort of P/E deal with Cesc coming the other way.
Spot on, all big clubs need competition. Vermaelen can also serve as an example to other players who may have felt their place was 100% safe.
