So Thomas Vermaelen has signed a new four-year deal at the club. It was about time that a player actually put his chips out on the table and indicated his willingness to stay. Needless to say; I’m delighted.
When he’s fit TV5 is, without a doubt, our best defender. He’s strong, mobile, good in a tackle, comfortable on the ball and likes to score the odd goal from a set-piece. It’s not a coincidence that our best form often comes when he is on the field. It is most frustrating that he is not on the pitch anywhere near as much as we’d all like.
Imagine a defence with TV5 alongside Mertesacker, with Sagna and Santos/Gibbs on either flank. That is what I call a solid back-line. Add Shezzers into the mix and our defensive line is starting to resemble one of real quality.
I’m not saying we’re there yet. These players need to start playing together regularly before they’ll be on the same page, and with the current injury problems we have it’s going to be a while before we see the consistency that we all want, but the pieces are there now and if and when we can get these players working together week in and week out, I can foresee a much more solid foundation developing at the club.
The fact that TV5 has penned this new deal is a good sign. It shows that not all our top players are looking at other clubs with longing in their eyes. It shows that you can be a top player, with ambition and want to play for Arsenal at the same time.
Now all we need is for Wenger to get Van Persie to do the same; sign his name on the dotted line and bring some stability back to the club. Something that we can all agree has been lacking for far too long.
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Very very pleasing. To find that some players are still principled, are grateful for godd things the club done for them is rare these days. TV5 is one those and lets hope we can build on that. Am sure others of his ilk will be found beside our finances will improve so we can afford to pay decent wages. We are down at the moment but not out. Count us out at your peril.
Very pleased too…i hope he gets over his injuries and also follows the path of players that have stayed at the club for many years and not follow the example of Fabregas,Hleb and Flamini that ended up leaving the club even tho they were playing in the first team and playing very well