Anyone who thinks Vermaelen is one of the best centre backs in the world is seriously deluded.

Mertesacker being slow doesn't make Vermaelen better than him. This article is flawed in so many areas.

And Barcelona do not want Vermaelen.

I can assure you most Gunners that pretend to prefer Mertesacker would, if it came down to selling one, rather we offload Per than Vermaelen.

That's not suggesting Vermaelen is having a great run but he is better than Mertesacker.

I disagree.

Vermaelen is a fan favourite because of his passion and habit of scoring important goals more than his defending.

Saying one is better than the other is silly. If you put Vermaelen in a game where we need a leader and something crazy (i.e. him charging up the pitch and scoring) he will do better.

However, in a game where you need composure, technique (in tackling and positioning) and reliability, Mertesacker will do better.

All players are better for different situations. It's great that we have a variety of good defenders, who will have to fight each other for a position.

I've observed you like Hummels, Kamran, but he has similar strengths and weaknesses to Vermaelen. I guess it's the case of the grass being greener on the other side. Let's not forget Vermaelen was in the PL team of the year in just his first season and spent 3/4 of the combined past 2 seasons on the treatment table.

"I've observed you like Hummels, Kamran, but he has similar strengths and weaknesses to Vermaelen. I guess it's the case of the grass being greener on the other side. Let's not forget Vermaelen was in the PL team of the year in just his first season and spent 3/4 of the combined past 2 seasons on the treatment table."
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They've certainly got similarities, but Hummels is the better player by some margin imo. Hummels knows when to go forward, Vermaelen just does it at every given opportunity, no matter who the opposition or what the situation.

Hummels is also a lot better in the air and he reads the game brilliant. He's a leader as well, like Vermi.

brilliantly*

However, in a game where you
need composure, technique (in
tackling and positioning) and
reliability, Mertesacker will do
better.
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Mertesacker's tackling is no way better than Vermaelen's. He also gives the illusion of better positioning cos he looks to defend deep and act as a sweeper and keeping his exposure to one-on-ones to a minimum. I'd say their defending depends on the sort of player they face. Against an Ibrahimovic or Drogba, Mertesacker's bulk and hesitance in commiting to a challenge would leave us less exposed at the back. Against a Suarez or Aguero, I'll have Vermaelen EVERYTIME.

They've certainly got similarities,
but Hummels is the better player
by some margin imo. Hummels
knows when to go forward,
Vermaelen just does it at every
given opportunity, no matter
who the opposition or what the
situation.
Hummels is also a lot better in
the air and he reads the game
brilliant. He's a leader as well, like
Vermi.
---------

At worst, it's a slight margin: no way is it SOME margin. Hummels isn't Baresi. I think the problem is you watch Dortmund or Germany's matches with more emotional detatchment. Hummels leaves his defense exposed tons of times and can be beaten too easily like RVP did against Germany after turning Hummels. Dortmund work very hard pressing from the front unlike Arsenal and that gives some security to their unspectacular backline. Let's not forget this same Hummels, until recently was on the fringes of Germany's team.

"At worst, it's a slight margin: no way is it SOME margin. Hummels isn't Baresi. I think the problem is you watch Dortmund or Germany's matches with more emotional detatchment. Hummels leaves his defense exposed tons of times and can be beaten too easily like RVP did against Germany after turning Hummels. Dortmund work very hard pressing from the front unlike Arsenal and that gives some security to their unspectacular backline. Let's not forget this same Hummels, until recently was on the fringes of Germany's team."
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I don't agree tbh.

You could be right about the emotional detachments, but I've been watching him closely for two seasons now and I think he's become one of the best centre backs in Europe. And I think it's unfair to use one example to take credibility away from him, I mean RVP could do that to any defender in the world.

Hummels make very few mistakes. His one weakness can be his positioning at times, but even that he's still only 23, with experience and time, he'll improve on that.

Also don't know why you regularly slate or denigrate Vermaelen's aerial ability, Kamran. You're unique in that one cos most consider it an asset of his. Vermaelen gets beaten for headers like everyone, including Vidic or Kompany, but he attacks the ball very well and leaps like Cahill. You underrate his aerial ability. Go watch his utter dominance of Carroll in our Emirates fixture against 'Pool last season.

So many typos I won't even bother correcting them.

"Also don't know why you regularly slate or denigrate Vermaelen's aerial ability, Kamran. You're unique in that one cos most consider it an asset of his. Vermaelen gets beaten for headers like everyone, including Vidic or Kompany, but he attacks the ball very well and leaps like Cahill. You underrate his aerial ability. Go watch his utter dominance of Carroll in our Emirates fixture against 'Pool last season."
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Again, I disagree. I think his aerial ability is overrated. He does okay in open play against long balls, but from set pieces he's a real weakness. He gets pushed around too easily. The same goes for Koscielny.

Djourou is our best player in the air, followed by Mertesacker who's not as good as he should be considering his height, but he's still got good aerial ability.

bottomline, tv is a great consistent player, and clueless to suggest otherwise...and yes he had a few bad games

"bottomline, tv is a great consistent player, and clueless to suggest otherwise...and yes he had a few bad games"
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Are you WUMing me here?

If there's one thing he's not, it's consistent.

Vermaelen is a great footballer, but not a great defender.

I agree Vermaelen's better in the air facing long balls than set-pieces cos he has more time to time his leap unlike set-pieces were the ball arrives quicker and his smaller size is a disadvantage. I still believe he's generally great in the air but we'll agree to disagree.

Mertesacker currently is the better defender, (well pre-injury anyway) but Vermaelen is the better overall player. It's this which makes me put Vermaelen ahead of Merty.

"I agree Vermaelen's better in the air facing long balls than set-pieces cos he has more time to time his leap unlike set-pieces were the ball arrives quicker and his smaller size is a disadvantage. I still believe he's generally great in the air but we'll agree to disagree."
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Yeah, we'll have to disagree. Glad we agree on him being better in the air in open play than from set pieces though

I don't think he's bad in the air, but imo it's an area where both him and Koscielny can improve on.

Vermaelen is more suited to the English game than Per. Quicker, more aggressive, attacks the ball well. Mertesacker possibly has the best positioning I have ever seen from a defender.

I would prefer Vermaelen only to let you know.

JD is the worst person in the air at arsenal. for someone who is 6ft4 he pathetic and weak in the air.

"JD is the worst person in the air at arsenal. for someone who is 6ft4 he pathetic and weak in the air."
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Another clueless post. You have no idea what you're talking about.