Arsenal favourite Thomas Vermaelen has admitted he didn’t really need to leave the club when he did.
Ajax Showtime have an interview with the defender today. He discusses various aspects of his career, including his time at the Emirates.
He’s now firmly enjoying his retirement after bring an end to his 18-year career back in 2021. That saw him play for Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona and then Vissel Kobe in Japan.
It is perhaps his time with Arsenal that is remembered most. He joined them in 2009 for £10m and was an instant hit, scoring seven goals in the Premier League that season and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
He became club captain in 2012 but later lost his starting spot due to injuries. He was a part of the side that won the FA Cup in 2014 before heading to Barcelona. Across his give seasons with the Gunners, he managed 150 appearances in total.
The move to the Nou Camp was not a bad one by any means. He went on to win four La Liga titles and the Champions League with them during his time there.
But looking back, he is happy to admit that he didn’t really need to leave Arsenal when he decided to.
“When I look back: I wasn’t really unhappy with Arsenal and felt very much at home in London,” he said.
“In that sense, I didn’t really have to leave. I played less in the last year. Wenger chose Koscielny and Mertesacker at the time. They formed a good duo and conceded few goals.
“I chose to leave and there was a deal with Barcelona. If I had stayed, it could have turned out well. I don’t regret it, not anyway. They’re also choices you make at that moment.”