Arsenal defender’s new deal

Wednesday, 19/10/2011

Thomas Vermaelen has agreed a new four-year deal with Arsenal.

The news is a major boost for the Gunners ahead of their Champions League game against Marseille.

Now Emirates boss Arsene Wenger will be hoping that captain Robin van Persie follow suit.

Vermaelen, currently out injured, is sorely missed in the Arsenal back line and Wenger admitted: "We had the desire to extend and we were quite relaxed that Thomas would sign."

Dutch striker van Persie is out of contract at the end of next season and Arsenal know that the predators will be ready to swoop with a hard-to-turn-down transfer bid.

Having already lost star men Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer, Wenger desperately needs to hang on to his key player.

Van Persie has his house on the market but has revealed that he has another London home in his sights.

He added: "I am committed to Arsenal. I am the captain. If you can say of one player he is committed, it's me."

But despite that assurance fans know that the Holland star is desperate for success. If the Gunners do not reach at Champions League place at the end of this campaign he could well be lured away.

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