Vermaelen: There are no arguments at Arsenal
442 Staff - Wednesday 05 December 2012, 17:01
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has insisted that, despite the club's recent poor run of form, all is calm at the North London club and there is no possibility of arguments brewing.
The Belgian has had to endure a difficult period as skipper, with Arsenal falling to 10th in the Premier League table, 15 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, after losing 2-0 to Swansea City at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners then suffered back-to-back defeats after losing to Olympiakos in the Champions League, and such form has led to rumours of discontent at the club and suspicions of fallouts between players.
However, Vermaelen is adamant that the dressing room is still a happy place to be at Arsenal; an atmosphere in keeping with his own style as captain.
Speaking exclusively in the January 2013 issue of FourFourTwo, he says: "I'm totally not someone who will shout in the dressing room. I'm much
more likely to go up to individuals and give them pieces of advice about
what they might be doing in a game."
And Vermaelen explains that the stability of the club also helps to discourage such arguments.
"There is a consistency here as a result of the manager being here for
so long. There is a clear vision that everyone understands and believes
in. There are never any arguments here. I played at Ajax and we had five
managers in five years. That is not good for the atmosphere."
He states that the calm environment at the North London outfit means he remains happy at the club, despite a lack of silverware and the decisions to sell Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Robin van Persie in recent years.
In fact, he supports the Gunners' policy, claiming that the stability of the club, particularly financially, means that: "Arsenal is going to be a big club for years" and "has always been an attractive club to come and play for. That’s not going to change."
The January 2013 issue of FourFourTwo goes behind the scenes at Arsenal, speaking to the men that matter as they reveal their master plan for success at home and abroad, including Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, Thomas Vermaelen, Santi Cazorla, Kieran Gibbs, Ken Friar, OBE and Liam Brady. Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Veron also answers your questions, while we reveal our annual Top 100 Players in the World list and meet Grimsby Town's managerial double-act. Subscribe! or download it digitally
BEHIND THE SCENES FourFourTwo spends a month with Arsene, Ivan & Co.
By Francesca Tye