So, it’s official, Thomas Vermaelen has signed for Arsenal. I am as excited to see him play as I am to see what other moves Le Boss makes this summer. I’ve never seen Arsenal act this agressive in any transfer market. They are almost always last to sign players, looking around for a bargain, and frustrating us supporters with their talk of how so and so can fill in at such and such position.
So, signing the Ajax captain, who plays in a position that everyone agrees we need for an Arsenal record transfer fee is huge. No, not just huge, this is the most definitive signal from Arsene Wenger that he’s changed course a bit that I have ever seen. Wenger himself heralds the chage thusly,
Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us. Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team.
Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he’s multi-functional and can also play at left back. He is strong technically with a positive winner’s attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal.
Here here, may the Boss’ vision prove correct once again.
Welcome, Thomas, you’re a Gooner now and we all support you.
Good signing by Wenger. Will he follow it up? Reports out of France that a Moroccan Striker from Bordeaux will be brought in to replace Adebayor? Apparently he tied for the lead on the team in goals, is 6’2″ good in the air and is especially adept at involving midfielders in play and tracking back.
so a cb done
a defensive mid next please
Hazzah and Kudos Mr. Wenger You have done the supporters right. I agree with Gooner Sems a DM would fit the bill.
I just noticed that he used to play for KFC, let’s hope he’s no chicken.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/factfile-belgian-defender-thomas-vermaelen
I think given time Gibbs could develop to be a decent DM
I like the thought on Gibbs, however I think Ramsey and Coquelain are ahead of him for that position. Very nice to see a CB arrive although I hope it doesnt signal the end for Toure as some people have claimed. Definately need a decent DM with experience and I think if we get one we could well be challenging for the league again! Hate to correct as well, but this isn’t a record signing. Arshavin was signed for at least £5m more. And I wouldn’t call it aggressive either, its very quick for Arsenal admittedly, but I get the impression Wenger wants his team sorted by the time pre-season in Austria comes about.
So, judging by Vermaelen’s size and prowess in the air, as well as his being a threat offensively I think Wenger has brought him in to finally be a replacement for Flamini. A tough and speedy ball-winner, who, if you’ve watched Ajax like I have, will completely remind you of Flamini, with much more to offer in the air and just as good offensively this signing may truly end up being the very signing that we are all pining for so desperately. Personally I have been following Vermaelen for a couple of seasons and have often thought he would be a perfect CDM for us. Also, and similarly to Arshavin, he shouldn’t struggle too much with the changes in weather that the English game offers. Up the gunner! Writing from Virginia, U.S., I hope my thoughts find all of you well.
Oh yeh, the fee was 10 million euros, plus 2 million euros in what Ajax’s site is calling “variable” payments. If Nasri was worth almost 13 million lets hope Vermaelen can effect the team in an equally incredible way.
Timmy, I must say I am not thrilled with this signing. He is an unknown whom according to the opinion of dutch fans is not that good. According to what I have read they are shocked in Holland that Arsenal are paying so much money for someone whom they see as a very average player. It has been said that he is nottop four quality according to the dutch and I have seen the names of two Ajax defenders named by opposing fans who are better than him.
I hope I am wrong but he has not got the premiership experience of any of our defenders yet and the Toure/Gallas partnership had vastly improved after he was stripped of the captaincy. Vermaelen appears to be an extension of the youth policy he is hardly at his peak at 23 is he. I cannot see how he is going to improve our team in the next couple of seasons. If Toure or Gallas go I would see this as another backward step this season.
I will also remind y’all that Arsene said our defensive problems had been sorted out thats why he bought Arshavin in Jan and no DM. It is only since Gallas absence and Denilsons omission that the goals have been leaked.
TV may well end up being no more than someone to appease the fans and pacify their lust for an adequate replacement for Flamini, which Arsene may not really be interested in as he still has a lot of faith in Denilson and Diaby.
I hope I am wrong but I suppose time will tell.
Well,i’m not too excited.i’m just sitting here scratching my head cause he is not in that level that one can vouch for his success.but it will be better if we can all support him to do well
if arsene thinks he’s good, then that’s good enough for me until proven otherwise. who was sagna? who was eduardo? so no.. the fact that he’s an unknown does not worry me. now i would love see diaby make way for a proper DM. c’mon you gooners!!!
well thank God we got 1 in an area thast really needs a shakeup. fpr me whats important is his mentality and from what he has been saying i catch a glimpse of him lets wait and see,some1 mmentioned left midfield for gibbs,i would prefer pedro botelho i feel so confident about his abilities i believe he has lot to offer especially in this area and we can also ring in traore sometimes.we r loaded with gut wrenching quality mid and forward and back too but we need a winning mentality, wedont need to play football with the hope of scoring goals, we should play to connstruct them. keep gunning. love!
This is a good start, he’ll likely replace toure to my view. The fact that this happened early tells me there is certainly more to come. Vermaelen’s no nonsense style should be a breathe of fresh air and provide direction for some of our wayward lads. That said, some of our players just haven’t shown up enough and further changes I believe are needed. I’m fairly certain rvp shares the same view.
thrilled that Arsenal have signed a defender and this soon too 🙂 Hopefully he works out. I still remember I was excited when Cygan had signed given he had won defender of the year for 2 years in a row with Auxerre. Not sure who said it but Cygan was supposed to replace Tony Adams..well we know how that one turned out. Still, good to know he is versatile as I have been wishing for a few years for Arsenal to get a defender who was comfortable in more than one position given Arsenal’s injury woes over the years.
just heard miguel veloso’s agent saying that arsenal could be possible for his client also like caribkid said if arsene wenger spends 10 mil on a cb then you bet your ehm ehm he is one hell of a player or maybe he has lost it doubt the second option though lol
We still don’t know how tall Vermaelen is, he is listed anywhere from 5’10” to 6’1 1/2″. Can anyone confirm his actual height?
Great addition for Arsenal. Now lets see how this translates into wins. The Confederations Cup is great. USA sucks. Brasil is playing well but the “D” has way too many lapses.. Huge upset Egypt over Italy 1-0. Thanks for reading my blog Bobby Gee http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/