Player Ratings 2013/14 - Part Two: Defenders

Thomas VERMAELEN (CB) - 5

28 years old - 13+8 apps / 0 goals / 1 assist (PL)

For the club captain, this has been a pretty awful season. Whilst he hasn’t played awfully this season, he’s not shown any signs of breaking back into the first team, having been displaced by Mertesacker and Koscielny. After starting 25 and 28 league games in the last two seasons, Vermaelen started just seven this term and only made a further seven off the bench. It’s been a difficult time for the Belgian and it’s seen his standing in the national team fall as well. The fact is, Mertesacker and Koscielny are performing at a much higher level to him and when he’s come back into the side, there’s always been the sense he could suddenly have a brain melt or sprint upfield without cover. Vermaelen is in the prime part of his career, at 28 he won’t want to be spending his time on the bench. It’s difficult to see where Vermaelen goes from here. Whilst he’s still club captain, he won’t be in the team while Mertesacker and Koscielny are fit, leaving both Vermaelen and Arsene Wenger with a dilemma.

Season Rating - 5/10

Worst Moment - Everton 3-0 Arsenal (PL) - A horrendous performance where he could have done a lot better for all three goals and looked all at sea.

Best Moment - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal (CL) - Played at left back and despite Arsenal going out, Vermaelen stood out as he was playing out of his normal position.

World Cup? - Yes, despite very few games, Vermaelen is part of the Belgium team for Brazil, but far from an assured starter.

Will he stay? - A very difficult one, probably 50/50. He won’t want to be a squad player, but won’t be anything else with Per and Kos around. Could go either way.