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Thomas Vermaelen says a winter break would be welcome for the Premier League, suggesting that it’s impossible for any player to remain at the top of their form given the schedule in England at this time of the year.
The Belgian has played nearly 30 games* for club and country, and says that this, rather than the responsibility as captain of Arsenal, has been a factor in his erratic form this campaign.
Speaking to Nieuwsblad, he said, “I can’t say I’ve rocked the house this season, but I’ve not been too bad either! In any career there are times when you go through low periods. I’ve played more than 30 official matches this season: you can not be at the top at each of these.
“We did not have a choice though: every three days there’s a match. The Premier League is very intense. You can not allow yourself to be less than 100%. Not even for one game! I have, for example, played eight games in a month. This requires rest.
“A winter break would be welcome, both physically and mentally. But we don’t have one, so we play.”
And he played down talk of the captaincy burdening him.
“This reasoning is not well founded. Yes, wearing the armband is of enormous importance, but that does not mean that my performances suffer.”
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* List of Vermaelen appearances here
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We need a squad that is strong enough to rotate. It’s highly unlikely that a break will be put in place.
No major league with 20 teams would be able to have a winter break, plus we have two major domestic cup competitions which both run through January.. There are just too many fixtures. It’s the main reason that the Bundesliga has only 18 teams; German winter weather means they need a winter break.
Of course, we could probably fit one in if not for international friendlies…
So why not have a winter break and play all the international matches either during the winter break or the summer break.
ok that is not strictly a break but at least all clubs wether domestic or internatiknal will be on an even keel
This has been my gripe with Wenger for quite a time. Lack of depth that results in a non-rotational squad. Wenger only utilizes players he absolutely trusts, and that approach is okay if and only if we have a squad full of players that can play in any given match. When we don’t, like now, that results in exhaustion for certain overused players and ultimately inconsistency by the entire squad because football is played by 11 players with every position equally important. Vermaelen isn’t the first one to talk about exhaustion publicly. Cazorla expressed something similar, and that says something. Clearly, our usual starters are exhausted.
Looked like they all decided to take a fuckin 90 minute winter break the other day anyway.
But hasnt Verm been off form from the first game? I mean, if it’s fatigue or whatever that’s been affecting his form, then shouldnt his form have dipped recently then?
I, for one, think he has been class the last few games. He had a chaky period but now has returned to his old self.
Did you see him against Southampton? There was a particular point in the game where the ball bounced over him, then just in front of him, and landed between him, Laurent and Wojcieh. Laurent then stopped trying to clear it cos Verm was closer,but then suddenly he hesitated and jerked, Laurent then did the same cos he suddenly thought he had to clear, and there was fucked panic. Thankfully Szcz came and claimed the ball. Now as a captain, he should have taken control, imagined that call was John Terrys’ wedding veg and kicked that ball into the stands, even if Szcz called for it. That was just one incident. There were more. I dont dislike him, but liking someone doesnt mean one can ignore facts. His best was during his first reason, when he was out jumping Drogba, and marauding forward with pace and taking long shots that stung the keepers palms and shit. His reading of the game was immaculate and the word mistake wasnt in his vocab.
First few games he was excellent – remember our defensive record at the start of the season? He and Mert looked like they were building a good partnership, but his form seems to have deteriorated a little since then.
Why eisfeld and gnabry are not used in the first team squad??
yeah, both’d be able replacements for Vermaelen..
I don’t think we will buy any player this transfer window and that’s the sad thing with Arsene. No investment – no future. Wenger is living in the past, you need to invest in to the team if you want to compete.
Vermaelen is tired because we can’t rotate properly and thats just why Wenger needs to open his wallet.
You mean like when he invested in the team when he first joined. We had money then. It’s no coincidence that low investment has followed low funds.
dont like that he says you cannot be at the top in every game. Im of the opinion that champions should believe they will play at the top in every game.
It is very unfortunate that only Arsenal players become tired! Dear Vermaelen, that’s why we call for bigger quality squad so that you can play by rotation which will sound as break!
Newcastle were pretty tired the other day and thats when we took a hold of the game…..
*not related* after walcot signs a new contract i wish wenger would say ” is it justified to pay him that much? No.but it’s not about the money it’s about sending out a message.” followed by a heath ledger’eusque grin.
Kos and Mert are the first pick for me. Make Wilshire captain “problem” solved.
when we had more overall quality and less pressure to win just anything shiny, this weeks FA cup game would have been a chance to rest the more fatigued first teamers like verm, santi, podolski etc.
alas, when we are under so much pressure to win every game we ust can’t afford to rotate, even if we had decent quality to fill in (which we do in a lot of areas)
I say rotate the hell out of the team. Put a new 11 on the pitch against the Swans. The first team gets a rest and the second string gets a chance to shine and put pressure on the first to get their act together.
It`s not even a gamble. The second string won’t play any worse than the first against Soton and Swans. If we win it will be great and maybe some of our young guns will get a breakthrough. If we lose? Well fuck it. It was our second string and the first got a good rest and to be honest, the FA cup is not that important right now. I would love for us to win it but the PL and CL are much more important.
Bring back Colin pates I say!!!!@
Offtopic…
Arsenal and Ivory Coast have had a massive falling out over Gervinho’s participation at AFCON. “You have him!” “No, you have him!”
Arsenal didn’t even try to Argue with Morocco, they aren’t having Chamakh at all so we’re stuck with him!
Did you see him against Southampton? There was a particular point in the game where the ball bounced over him, then just in front of him, and landed between him, Laurent and Wojcieh. Laurent then stopped trying to clear it cos Verm was closer,but then suddenly he hesitated and jerked, Laurent then did the same cos he suddenly thought he had to clear, and there was fucked panic. Thankfully Szcz came and claimed the ball. Now as a captain, he should have taken control, imagined that call was John Terrys’ wedding veg and kicked that ball into the stands, even if Szcz called for it. That was just one incident. There were more. I dont dislike him, but liking someone doesnt mean one can ignore facts. His best was during his first reason, when he was out jumping Drogba, and marauding forward with pace and taking long shots that stung the keepers palms and shit. His reading of the game was immaculate and the word mistake wasnt in his vocab.
I think as fans we regarded TV highly more for his attitude than actual performances. I can’t think of one game in his entire Arsenal career when he’s looked magnificent, in the way Bould, Adams and keown regulary did. I think of Kos against Barca and lMertersackers performance against City and see true quality but TV is 6 or 7 out of ten every week.
How fucking dare he?
These Johnny foreigner types come over here, demanding a winter break, they steal our jobs, pillage our children and kidnap our villages.
They didn’t want us to take a winter break in 19fucking39 did they?
Hanging’s too good for them.
brilliant!
I too would like an extra paid holiday. Let’s say between march 20 and April 26. This way I don’t have to work onmy birthday. Plus I love to get paid to not do my job. Wankers.
“I can’t say I’ve rocked the house this season, but I’ve not been too bad either! ???
You were bad man, better say why is that so and that you will kill yourself from training and concetrate much more on your performance.
NewsFlash: Chamack has gone to west ham on loan. && walcot signed his new contract with arsenal 4 yrs – 90k
Hey I know you: you’re @Agent149-ITK, right?
Newsflash: you’re a bellend.
I call it bollocks!
a breaks ok for teams looking to make excuses for poor form . we get the words ” jaded ” “mentally tired ” ” not sharp ” . then when we get an interlull we get ” not ideal ” ” lost momentum ” . its all bullshit ! 30 odd games at centre half is nothing compared to 30 odd games if your Santi Cazorla