Saturday, 22nd March, 2014
Thomas Vermaelen admits he does not know whether he will stay at Arsenal, with a lack of playing time very difficult to stomach.
The Belgium international provides cover at the back, with an Arsene Wenger-preferred partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker blocking the road to a centre-back slot.
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Vermaelen has been handed starts when either of the pair is injured, while he has also occasionally been deployed in an unfamiliar full-back role.
The situation is far from ideal for the former Ajax man, who has now been providing cover for over a year.
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"I do occasionally have the chance to play, but you must remember that the players in front of me are incredibly fit and play almost all the time", he told Het Nieuwsblad.
"Of course I was hoping for more playing time."
The 28-year-old's contract with Arsenal will have just a further year to run from this summer and at present Vermaelen cannot say whether he is prepared to extend it, instead insisting he must focus on the end of season run-in.
"I do not know [whether I will sign a new contract].
"We'll see at the end of the season. We are very much in the title race and have a chance of winning the cup. My future is currently not on the agenda.
"These are worries for later."
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