ARSENAL SIGNING COULD JUST FIT THE BILL

Arsenal have finally secured the services of Belgian defender Thomas Vermeaelen from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has already come under criticism from Tony Adams, claiming the player is not good enough for Arsenal, but let’s be honest, what does Tony Adams know? A great player yes, but a diabolical coach and judge of a player. He told Wenger NOT to sign Rosicky. When Rosicky is fit, he is probably our most influential player. Adams didn’t tell Wenger not to sign Rosicky because he is always injured, he told him he wasn’t good enough.

The main concern from Adams was the lack of height, and the worry that we’ve signed another ‘small one’. I can understand Adams is concerned with the ariel threat of Vermaelen, but he’s hardly small, he’s half an inch short of 6ft. Two inches short of Vidic, who is probably better in the air than any other player in the Premiership. It’s all about bravery and the spring in the step. Cannavaro and Puyol are both shorter.

When we played Ajax in the Amsterdam Tournament a couple of years ago, I remember him being a proper dirty bastard, and I think that is the exact sort of player we need. He seems to be a no holds barred defender, who can play anywhere across the back four and do a job. I can’t imagine he’ll set the world alight with his football ability, but I have a feeling he could do the job for us, and I’m excited about the signing. If the pictures below are anything to go by, then he’s obviously a bit of aggro, which can only be good.

If we keep hold of Gallas, which I hope we do, we seem covered defensively. Who else is Arsene likely to bring in? I’m hoping it’s going to be a defensive midfielder, but you never can tell with Mr Wenger.