According to the Arsenal medical staff, Thomas Vermaelen will be out of action until at least the New Year. Arsene Wenger’s hesitance to put a date on the defender’s return to action from an Achilles injury is sure to plant a seed of worry in many Arsenal supporters’ minds, many of whom who will still have the recurring injuries of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie fresh in their memory. Arsenal have coped well in the absence of the Belgian defender yet, there is no doubt that he will receive a humbling welcome back to the Arsenal starting line up once he has fully recovered.
Vermaelen’s transfer from Ajax last season was commented upon as one of the most shrewd transfer dealings of the year by many. The centre back blossomed in a partnership with William Gallas and adapted to life in the Premiership quickly. There were doubts about the defender’s aerial ability. However, despite being just under six feet tall, Vermaelen has proven himself to be one of the most dominant aerial presences in the Arsenal line up and an integral part of the team.
The Gunners have made it to the top of the Premiership table without the team’s best renowned centre back. Surely this is evidence that Arsene Wenger has addressed the defensive frailties of the last few years…in terms of depth anyway. Sebastien Squillaci has shown his experience with some fine performances and Johan Djourou has come on leaps and bounds in the past couple of seasons even though he’s had some bad injuries himself. Nevertheless, with recent injuries to other defenders Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny, and a UEFA suspension for first choice right back Bacary Sagna, it would certainly be nice to have Vermaelen back for the next round of the Champions League.
I don’t think Arsenal fans should be nervous as the busy festive season approaches. We have two centre backs in good form and with something to prove. We may also have our skipper back soon, Van Persie is almost fully fit and we’ve got competition for places all over the field. Our attacking form is starting to look emphatic and the smoke from our firepower at the top end of the field is beginning to cover up the concern of Arsenal’s defensive depth, injuries and the ever present topic of players such as Vermaelen getting injured on international duty.
Now is a time for optimism as a big game against Man Utd approaches. If we win at Old Trafford on tomorrow night it will without a doubt have a massive impact on the team’s belief that they can win those top-of-the-table clashes. It could prove to be a monumental ninety minutes in Arsenal’s season. The phrase ‘big game’ cannot be emphasised enough.
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