Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today admitted Thomas Vermaelen is “suffering” during his spell out of the first team but insists he will not push to leave the club.
The 28-year-old was named captain after Robin van Persie’s departure to Manchester United last summer but has since found himself marginalised as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny establish themselves as the Gunners’ preferred centre-back pairing.
Vermaelen’s only Premier League start this season came in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to United, after which he stated his desire to stay and fight for his place.
However, he had previously been more uncertain while on international duty with Belgium, hinting he would assess his options during the January transfer window should he remain frozen out at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger revealed he plans to rotate a small number of players for tomorrow’s visit of Hull but refused to confirm whether Vermaelen would be among those included.
“In every single game I rotate [but] I try to limit the number because I do not want to disrupt the balance of the team so I do that in every single game,” he said.
“I rotate considering the level of fatigue. We have some indications: my eyes, some objective data and as well of course some positions where it’s more demanding on the physical front than others.
“I don’t know if Vermaelen will play. I haven’t decided yet. It is tough to leave him out because of his quality, because of his attitude and because of his influence at the club, of course. It is a difficult decision because he is a top class player.
“He certainly suffers but he handles it with great dignity and great professionalism.”
Asked if he was concerned Vermaelen could agitate for a move in January, Wenger replied: “No because if he wants to do that he will come and see me which he has not done.”
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Wenger’s decision to rotate was forced in one respect by a slight hamstring injury to Bacary Sagna, meaning Carl Jenkinson will deputise against Steve Bruce’s newly-promoted side.
Hull defeated Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday and Wenger said: “They have done very well. They look to play in a very positive way, they have nothing to lose when they come to us. They have just beaten Liverpool in a very convincing way.
“We are lucky at the moment, we get good warnings. We had a good warning before we went to Cardiff and we have another good warning from Hull’s performance against Liverpool.”
