TopiG

Thomas Vermaelen first came to Arsène Wenger’s attention when he locked horns with Robin van Persie at the Amsterdam Tournament.

Tempers flared between the pair in the pre-season competition two years ago when the Belgian was still with Ajax. Wenger noted Vermaelen’s toughness and tenacity then returned last summer to take him to Emirates Stadium.

“I loved it,” said Wenger recalling the Van Persie incident.

“As a centre back you need to be fully committed. He is now 24, and at that time he was maybe 21 and wanted to show he could compete. I don’t know or remember if they shook hands afterwards but I remember some very committed games at the Ajax tournament.

“He played against Thierry Henry [in the same game] and kept him quiet. I thought ‘oh’ and remembered the name. I put him in my brain and kept it in there.

(arsenal.com)