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Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen Nothing More Than Last Resort
According to reports, Arsenal are interested in bringing Thomas Vermaelen back to the Emirates. While the Barcelona center half would provide much needed experience at a position of weakness, the former captain should be nothing more than a last resort.
Center half is an issue that must be addressed this summer. Arsenal are sent to enter the season with Gabriel Paulista as the most senior fit center half, with Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, two talented but very young and inexperienced players, most likely to start alongside him. That is a major worry.
Related Story: Thomas Vermaelen Transfer Would Prove One Thing
Thankfully, Arsene Wenger seems to agree, stating that he expects the club to bring in another central defender. Unfortunately, many players that have been linked to a move to the Emirates are less than inspiring and one name that has worryingly taken center stage over the past few days is Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen.
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One name that has been mused with a possible move is Shkodran Mustafi. The Germany international and Valencia center back would be a tremendous signing, and while he would command a rather significant fee, it would be a statement of intent from Arsenal.
However, as the Mustafi rumors have quietened, it is the Vermaelen reports that have come to the fore. Wenger has stated his desire to add experience to his center half options and few possible recruits would satisfy such want as well as Vermaelen.
However, in adding the former Arsenal captain, it would be an admittance of regression, a public declaration that the club is no longer looking to push forward and develop, but they are simply happy to have and hold.
Vermaelem would offer an immediate solution to Arsenal’s center half issues. However, he is not the future of the back four. Unlike Mustafi, Vermaelen will not be playing at the top of his game in four or five years.
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An option? Yes. But he should be nothing more than a last resort.