Mertesacker rules out Wolfsburg move, plus Vermaelen’s future at Arsenal uncertain?

Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker has rubbished reports linking him with a move back to Germany with Wolfsburg.

The German giant moved to Arsenal from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2011 and has been a regular in the team, particularly this season. However, despite being a regular, his form has been criticised by some fans and the media. Having said that, he has looked very good with Laurent Koscielny over the past couple of games and at the moment the two are keeping captain Thomas Vermaelen out of the team.

Mertesacker told the German media the following when questioned about a possible return to his homeland:

"“No, I don’t consider a return to Germany. I am under contract with Arsenal and I am planning to stay on at Arsenal for more years from now.” – Per Mertesacker on his Arsenal future."

So there you have it. Per is likely to be staying. I have to say, despite his critics, I actually rate Mertesacker. Yes he is slow and that can cost us sometimes, but he is a good tackler and his positioning is very good.

Mertesacker insists he is staying at Arsenal.

He has formed a good partnership with Koscielny recently and to be honest I feel that Vermaelen has only been getting games for a lot of the season because he is captain. Vermaelen’s performances have declined since arriving at the club in the summer of 2009. He had a very solid first season and then he was ruled out for pretty well and entire season in 2010/11. Since coming back he hasn’t been as solid as he was in his first year. His tendency to burst forward and not get back can be very costly to the team whereas somebody like Mertesacker only goes forward for set pieces.

I personally believe we should stick with Koscielny and Mertesacker for the rest of the season and then if Barcelona come in for Vermaelen (as is being rumoured in the media), I would cash in on Vermaelen if the offer is right. Just my personal opinion and it’s not based on a couple of good games. Vermaelen hasn’t had a good season and we’d be doing the right thing if Barcelona came in with something like a £15m offer for him. Maybe the added pressure of being captain has got to Vermaelen, I don’t know.

Vermaelen has lost his place in the side following Mertesacker and Koscielny being in form. Barcelona are being linked with a move for him.