EPL: Arsene Wenger insists Thomas Vermaelen will stay

Arsene Wenger won’t sell Vermaelen in January

With the Mertesacker-Koscielny combination bringing some much needed calmness in Arsenal’s defence, there have naturally been rumours that club captain Thomas Vermaelen wants a January transfer away from the club.

Vermaelen did say that he had a talk with Arsene Wenger last week, but declined to elaborate on the nature of discussion.

In a press conference, Arsene Wenger reiterated that Vermaelen was not for sale.

He said, “It is unfortunately part of our job that sometimes we frustrate people.

He is rightly frustrated because he has the quality to play, because he behaves with a fantastic attitude and is a credit to our job. Not everybody behaves like him, it is absolutely fantastic. I can understand completely his frustration.

They have done well, and there was no particular reason to change. Vermaelen’s time will come. In our job the most important [thing] is to be ready and he behaves like somebody who will be ready when needed.”

While it is understandable that Vermaelen may want more playing time, considering it is a World Cup year, the chances of Arsenal selling him would be very low, considering they don’t have any back up in the squad in case on of the established 2 gets injured.