Thomas Vermaelen is looking forward to the season ahead
Thomas Vermaelen has learnt to sing off the Arsenal
hymn sheet in his solitary season, warning his team-mates yesterday
they cannot let down their guard for one moment if they are to mount a
serious title challenge.
The Gunners open the quest for a first
championship since 2004 at Liverpool on Sunday, where the Belgian
centre-half could well be captain should Cesc Fabregas not be deemed
match fit. Arsène Wenger's men failed to stay the distance in the last
campaign, with lapses in concentration proving costly. Points which
would have kept them in the hunt were thrown away: a last-minute
equaliser at Birmingham City and then defeat at Wigan Athletic having
been 2-0 ahead.
Vermaelen, though, insists the
Gunners are wiser for the experience. "You have to look at all games
which we lost, and each one had its own story," Vermaelen said. "In
football, it is really difficult to perform at a high level in every
game – and that is what we have to do every year. We are one year older
now, more experienced. I have learnt a lot last year and I hope I can
improve.
"I feel the same pressure as I did last year, that
is to be as good for the team as I can, to perform the best I can and to
win some things. The difference now is that everything is not new to me
anymore, but sometimes the second season is more difficult than the
first."
Despite all of the summer speculation
surrounding the future of their captain, Barcelona target Fabregas, the
Gunners enjoyed a decent pre-season which included victory in their
Emirates Cup tournament. Vermaelen, who settled quickly after his £10m
arrival from Ajax last summer, maintains the players cannot wait for the
action to start again. "We are all very positive and have had a good
pre-season," said the 24-year-old. "We have trained hard, are motivated
and are ready for the first game against Liverpool."
Arsenal
had most of their first-team squad away on international duty this
week. It remains to be seen whether Fabregas – who was given extra time
off after playing in the World Cup final – returns from Spain's trip to
Mexico in any shape to face Liverpool. Robin van Persie, though, could
be in contention as he was not included in the Dutch squad for their
game in Ukraine.