Thomas Vermaelen says clean sheets are his priority and Torres getting back to full fitness
Arsenal’s Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen has said that his fans should not expect him to be among goals this season, as he is more focused on keeping clean sheets than scoring goals.
Thomas came to Arsenal last season and made an instant impact at the club. Although he is by trade a defender but did score 5 goals in his first 11 matches for Arsenal, and ended with 8 goals for the season.
However he is making it clear that keeping the ball out of his own net is more important to him then putting one in on the other end. He said that a defender’s sole purpose is to protect his goalkeeper and make sure that he is not tested too much. If at the end of a match the goalkeeper remains untested it proves that the defenders have been doing their job right.
The Belgian said that yes scoring goals is always great but if he manages clean sheets and no goals he would be happy with that. He went on to say that last season luckily he did score some goals and fans have started to expect him to surge forward and score the odd goal. Vermaelen said that he still would be helping the offensive side of the game when needed but still his primary focus would be on keeping out the ball from his 6 yard box. He said that scoring a goal becomes irrelevant if you manage to concede 2.
The centre back went on to say that his manager Arsene Wenger has also told him that he expects big things from him this season. He went on to say that since 4 senior defenders parted ways with the club at the end of last season. (Philip Senderos, Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikel Silvestre) he would have to step up to the job and prove that he can take responsibility. Vermaelen said that he is not pressured by being the one to take the ownership of the backline but in fact he is thrilled. Vermaelen added that having to play such an important role makes him more motivated and committed to his task. Currently Vermaelen is with his national team to play Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Meanwhile looking at some news from Mersey side, Liverpool’s ace marksman Fernando Torres is believed to be recovering ahead of time. However the club has said that they would not rush in bringing the Spaniard back in action.
The 26 year old world cup winning striker went through 2 knee operations this year, and if that was not enough he also suffered a adductor injury while playing for Spain in the world cup.
Torres scored his first Liverpool goal for the new season against West Brom in Sunday, he managed to play 89 minutes and it was also his first goal since April.
Fernando Torres is currently on international duty With Spain for Euro 2012 qualifier.
Peter Brukner , the head of sports science at Liverpool believes that when Torres returns from international duty he should be in perfect condition.
Peter said that actually Torres is recovering faster than anticipated; he said that when he was sent on as a substitute against Arsenal he did not look to be 100 %. But his 89 minutes against West Brom looked good and he is probably returning to his full strength.
He said that Torres got hit on the shin in the match against West Brom and due to caution he had to be taken off, but it was nothing serious and that is why he was allowed to go on national duty.
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