Arsenal captain plays down talk of move away.
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Thomas Vermaelen is happy at Arsenal, he is quoted as saying to Dutch news source AD.nl.
The Belgian defender has had a difficult season at the Emirates Stadium, falling out of favour with Arsene Wenger towards the end of the season following some poor form.
The 27-year-old had been made captain by the Arsenal manager at the start of the season, but failed to show the leadership and form that had made him the main candidate for the armband in the first place.
Following his time on the bench, he has been linked with a move away to a number of top European clubs, with Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli and Manchester United all reportedly keen on the former Ajax man.
However, Vermaelen has played down these rumours, saying he accepts that at a top club like Arsenal there will always be competition, and that he is happy to stay and fight for his place.
“I am happy at Arsenal,” he said.
“I didn’t play much and that did result in frustration, but things can turn around quickly.
“I was on the substitute bench, but I could as quickly be playing again. I’m working hard to make that happen.
“These are things that happen in professional football. Arsenal is a great club where there is a lot of competition.”
Arsenal may already be preparing for his exit though, as they are supposedly lining up bids for Swansea City defender Ashley Williams, as well as Valencia’s Adil Rami.