Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen ready to return to action: EPL news
Arsenal defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 has declared that he is ready to return to the squad after being sidelined for the better part of a year with an ankle injury.
Vermaelen suffered an ankle injury almost eight months ago, forcing him to watch much of Arsenal’s season from the sidelines. The Belgian’s absence is part of the reason for the Gunners’ phenomenal downward spiral in recent weeks. Without the steadying presence of Vermaelen in the back four, Arsenal have crumbled time and time again. The defender is a proven leader, and his return to the squad is just the tonic that the Gunners need to boost their defensive line. However, it seems that the Belgian’s return is too little, too late.
Wenger’s men were knocked out of three cup competitions in the space of two weeks, and their Barclays Premier League title hopes also came to an end thanks to a three-match winless streak. It seems as if Arsenal are heading towards the end of yet another season without any sort of silverware. It is an amazing fall from grace for a club which could have won the quadruple this season. Could things have been different had Vermaelen played during the decisive last few weeks of the season? We will never know.
The Belgian believes he is now ready for first team action, having recently overcome the Achilles problem he first picked up back in September.
Speaking on his condition, Vermaelen told reporters, "I'm fit at the moment, I feel great and, in training, I don't feel any problems. It's up to the boss (Arsene Wenger), he makes the decisions. I'm available...so I hope I will be back in the squad soon and that is my target.”
Even though the player is eager to get back on the pitch, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not taking any chances his injury prone defender. The Frenchman has opted to rest Vermaelen for the crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal are currently in third place in the Premier League standings with 64 points.
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