He's back for tomorrow, but won't be playing.

I am committed to Arsenal, and that’s how it is, despite people [in the media] making up stories

I've missed many, it was about time

Oh yes!!

If you can say about one player that he is committed to Arsenal, it's me

<3 Robin.

I'm not entirely sure where the hell these reports that he'll join City have come from. That would be a truly bizarre move. Mind you, I guess someone has to replace Tevez...

:lol: Sydcro, have you got the statszone app?

Not a convincing win by any means... lucky not to go behind and just be thankful for RvP.

Watched the replay just then and I must say we did play good in patches ! Still a bit shaky but hopefully this gets our season going! Also andrey looked good , might be due to playing in his prefered postion

[size=6]Vermaelen signs new long-term contract[/size]


Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Thomas Vermaelen has signed a new long-term contract with the Club.

The Belgium international has been a star performer in Arsenal’s defence during his 54 appearances for the Club and has now put pen to paper on a new contract.

Vermaelen, 25, made more appearances than any other Gunners player during his debut season, being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2009/10. During that campaign, his defensive performances were just part of the story. He also weighed in with eight goals, including thunderous long-range efforts against Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic.

Captain of the Belgium national side Vermaelen has made 32 appearances for his country including the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Vermaelen previously skippered Dutch giants Ajax, where he spent nine years, having joined as a teenager from Belgian club Germinal Beerschot.

Arsène Wenger said: “We are absolutely delighted that Thomas has signed a new long-term contract. Our plan is always to sign top quality players and with Thomas extending his contract, we have done just that. Thomas is a special player, who has always made a huge contribution on the pitch and we are looking forward to him being a part of our future at Arsenal Football Club.”

Vermaelen, who is now closing in on a return to full fitness said: “I am really happy to have signed a new contract with Arsenal. I always had the intention to stay here. I feel there is a big belief in me from the Club, from the boss and from the fans and that is one of the reasons why I stayed. Arsenal is a fantastic Club. We have great supporters, we’re doing well financially and we are playing with some quality young players now and they will develop, which is very good for the future.”

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is looking forward to Thomas’ continued contribution in the forthcoming years.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vermaelen-signs-new-long-term-contract

[size=6]Vermaelen - This club has a bright future[/size]

By Chris Harris

Thomas Vermaelen signed a new deal at Arsenal because he believes the Club has a bright future.

The vice-captain has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top defenders since arriving in north London in 2009 and has committed himself to the Arsenal cause by putting pen to paper on a contract extension.

Vermaelen cited the belief shown in him by Arsène Wenger and the supporters as a major factor in his decision. And the Belgian wants to repay that faith when he returns to action in the near future.

"I feel there is a big belief from the Club, from the boss and from the fans and that is one of the reasons why I stayed," he told Arsenal Player.

"I feel great here, it's a fantastic Club and that is why I want to stay here. I played my first year here, had a big injury last year and then got injured again. I want to show something back to the Club and to the fans and that is why I want to stay longer.

"Of course you cannot look into the future but I have a big belief that this Club will continue doing well. We had a bad start in the league but I think if we fight hard we will get through this. In the following years Arsenal will stay a big Club.

"You can feel that [there is a strong base here]. You hear from the board that the Club is doing well financially. We are playing with young players now and they can develop - that is good for the future I think."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vermaelen-this-club-has-a-bright-future

[size=6]Wenger reveals Arsenal mutiny[/size]

Arsene Wenger has claimed "half the dressing room wanted to leave" Arsenal this off-season and the hangover could be behind its poor start to the season.

Sunday's 2-1 win over Sunderland lifted Arsenal back into the top half of the table, but the Gunners are 12 points off the pace at the top of the table already and face a fight to reach the top four.

Their early season struggles were highlighted by the shocking 8-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, coming on the back of a northern summer that saw key midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri sold despite Wenger's insistence he wanted them to stay.

"It was a very difficult summer because half the dressing room wanted to leave," Wenger said in comments made on French radio station RTL and reported by the Guardian.

"You're preparing for a season where you don't know who's going to come in, the players who are staying are asking themselves what's going on at the club, you've got a pre-season tour of Asia.

"It was extraordinarily difficult. What saved us is that we're a club that are extremely solid and united. Other clubs would surely have gone to pieces in those circumstances.

"What people forget is that we lost three key players because we've also lost [Jack] Wilshere. Three who were important in our midfield. Nasri, Fabregas and Wilshere have all been lost and they were the basis of our midfield last season.

"We've had to reconstruct our midfield entirely because Wilshere won't be back until January. Still, we've disappointed this season so far, given what's expected of us, but I think we're on the up again. The problem is you can only climb the table slowly. We're not too far away in terms of points from fourth place. We're too far away from the top two."

Wenger admitted that simple economics meant that players wanted to leave Arsenal because there was more money on offer elsewhere.

"It's not that [players have to leave to win titles]," he said. "The problem isn't that. Frankly, if you compare what Manchester City have won in the past and what Arsenal have won, then you don't go to Manchester City to win titles. Players go to Manchester City because they pay much better than Arsenal.

"They are a force clearly, because they have exceptional financial clout, so it's not surprising what they've done."

Now the Frenchman is facing questions over the long-term future of Fabregas' replacement as captain, Robin van Persie, who insists he is committed to the club but is yet to agree a new deal with 18 months left on his existing contract.

"For me being professional means that right up until the last day you are at a club you give 100% to that club," added Wenger.

"I'm not asking myself whether Van Persie is going to extend his contract in 18 months' time. For me what is important is that he plays well for us (against Marseille) on Wednesday. After that the next match. That's how I think.

"He's scored 28 goals in 34 games, so they're exceptional statistics. He's got a contract for another 18 months and he's a man who is attached to our club. I'm not especially thinking about losing him."

RVP is the only player left at Arsenal to have won a trophy while at the club.