• Premier League

Vermaelen issues rallying cry to fragile Gunners

ESPN staff
October 18, 2011
Thomas Vermaelen has been alarmed by Arsenal's lack of confidence this season © Getty Images
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Arsenal must be stronger in the face of adversity if they are to turn around their season, according to defender Thomas Vermaelen.

The Gunners have looked desperately short of confidence at the back on several occasions this term, most notably in the 8-2 loss against Manchester United and the 4-3 reverse at Blackburn.

Boss Arsene Wenger has purchased experienced international defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker in a bid to solve the problem, which reared its head again on Sunday when Arsenal looked rattled following Sebastian Larsson's equaliser for Sunderland.

And Vermaelen, having watched from the sidelines against the Black Cats as he continues his recovery from injury, is calling for his team-mates to show more resilience.

"Of course if you get a good result [Arsenal eventually beat Sunderland 2-1] it is always good for your confidence," Vermaelen told Arsenal Player. "But you also learn from that and I do not think it is acceptable for your confidence to go down if you concede a goal. If you are a professional footballer you have to stay confident and believe in yourself all the time, it doesn't matter what happens.

"Especially when you have a bad start like we have, you should be confident all the time. Then you will be fine. I think we just have to take it game by game, just work as hard as you can and get as many points as possible."

Vermaelen, who signed a new long-term contract on Tuesday, says he is relishing the prospect of playing with Mertesacker on his return, which is expected to come before the end of the month.

"Per I don't know too well but I have watched him in a few games and I think he is a really mature player," Vermaelen said. "He has good positional sense and has a lot of experience so I think he is a good signing for us."

Meanwhile, Wenger has announced that Kieran Gibbs is out of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Marseille due to a stomach muscle injury, while Aaron Ramsey has travelled and is expected to play a part.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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