Is it time for Arsenal to have a new captain?
Captaincy has changed Vermaelen by A_H
After the departure of Robin Van Persie, Arsenal appointed Thomas Vermaelen as Club Captain. At the start I thought he was going to be a fantastic captain, a Tony Adam’s figurehead who was commanding, mentally strong and supportive on the pitch, showing true leadership skills. However I feel like we have seen a completely different Vermaelen this season.
First of all his game has changed, he doesn’t seem to be the same commanding player that he was, he seems to have lost his physical presence that made strikers fear facing him and the fact it made him a solid rock at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. Don’t get me wrong, he is still a very good defender and arguably the best at the club; however I don’t feel he is the same player we all thought he was.
Secondly is his presence on the pitch. Not physically but mentally, he doesn’t seem very strong. He doesn’t show much communication and support towards the other players, like a captain should, especially during tough times. Who knows what he is like in the dressing room, but just by looking at his leadership skills on the pitch I can see that he doesn’t have that captain quality that should be leading over the other players.
Mikel Arteta is the second captain of the club and we often see him talking to the press at the end of games, in interviews and giving press conferences, a job that should be more focused around the club captain. It’s the same with Jack Wilshere, who is seemingly on his way to becoming the new Mr Arsenal. I have no problem with these players acting as role models at the club, leading over the team and showing support. I’m just concerned about the lack of action we see for Vermaelen these days and it’s made me wonder, is the captaincy to big a job for the Belgian International?
In no way am I saying we should be looking to change captain and roles around the club, half way through a season, but I’m just wondering, what role in this Arsenal club does Vermaelen play. He certainly doesn’t seem to be fulfilling the role of the dominant and commanding club captain that the club needs at the moment and I think that the extra weight of this role may be having an effect on his game, because he definitely hasn’t been the same player this season.
Should Arsenal change their captain?
Many of us like and admire TV5 to be sure. To be stripped would surely be gutting. Would it be better if TV,if he believes he should not be captain, step down on his own?
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It would be very nice if we got Villa. @Leo what do you think of Walcott situation?
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There is no crisis with the skipper armband so no need for such silly articles. vermintor has earned that armband!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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You definitely have a point. Im hopeful that he will grow into the role or maybe become the no nonsense defender he once were, and lead by example. Im sure he must have a big influence within the dressing room or else his being captain would be a mute point.
Arteta youd swear all day he were captain with his pre match instructions, younger players looking up to him and himself looking like the Arsenals ambassador off the pitch. For sure Wilshere reaching a certain age will lead the Arsenal for many of year. Id be very interested to know who Bouldy thinks is most captain like.
I wonder if our captains armband changing hands every season has anything to do with Vermaelen entering a shell, as we know footballers are the most supersticious of all and who may be joking amongst themselves of the armband carrying a curse, i know it sounds silly/stupid but with some of the stories players tell of supersticions ?
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Am only concern about Theo’s stay. Pls AW pay him the money and allow him the position he demands instead of bringing new player that may turn to wast, remember Chamack, Geroud and co. A devil you knw is better than Angel you have not seen.
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TV is not same player simple and short. I can’t really say if it’s the captaincy that affected him but to strip him of it will be detrimental. We (Arsenal) has to find a way around it. And please admin, he is by no means our best defender at the moment.
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Good article admin, could have written it myself. There’s no doubt that the man is not the player he was. Some people are just not captain material, no shame in that. I’d rather have the old TV5 back.
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Wilshere is too young to take on the role, I think Vermaelen is fine for now. Mertesacker would be good too or Arteta. But lets stick with Vermaelen, he can only grow into the role as we do better!
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agreed! Wilshere is too young to take the responsible..Arteta maybe the right candidate. If you watched last season game. He did well with a lot of passed. However since Cazorla came, Arteta looks very relax, just passed a few passing to the other midfielder. I think his role a bit change from last year where he did well on last year.
For capitan role, he is the right man.
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When Jack is out on the field, We see heart, passion, and pride that he has to be an Arsenal Player. He has that presents that Cesc had on the field. He is a player that all the young players see would strive to be like. He is very vocal and has fight in him. Something that we don’t see in Vermaelen. Jack shows every game what it means to wear the Arsenal badge. I would never want Vermaelen to get stripped of the captaincy because he is a player that we all love and it would be damaging. But if he feels he is not the right man for the job then he should take it upon himself and step down. Jack is our future and I have no doubt that within time he will be a great captain. Wenger knows when a player is ready to be Captain no matter how old they are, Example look how young Cesc was when he took the Captain band. I just hope that Vermaelen starts to show all of us that he is the captain that we all thought he would be!
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Many players change when given the role of captain, that`s what makes selecting a captain so special, a thing Wenger has never learned. Outside of Arteta I don`t see any captaincy material at Arsenal.
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