Wenger: Vermaelen’s response to being dropped ‘remarkable’

Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on Thomas Vermaelen for the Arsenal captain’s “remarkable” response to being dropped to the bench in recent games.

The Belgium international lost his place in Wenger’s first-team following the 2-1 defeat by Tottenham back in March, with Arsenal having gone on to win their next four games in all competitions.

The centre-half, who was named as Arsenal captain last summer after Robin van Persie’s exit, was a substitute in the Gunners’ 2-1 win at West Bromwich last weekend following Per Mertesacker’s red card.

And with the defender in line to be thrown back into the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Norwich City at Emirates Stadium due to Mertesacker’s suspension, Wenger has praised the 27-year-old for his reaction since being dropped.

“He took it in a remarkable way [when he lost his place],” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“He is a great man and I didn’t make him captain by coincidence. I knew there is something mentally special there. He responds in positive situations and in less positive situations like when you don’t play.

“They know there could be rotation with the three centre backs from the start of the season, depending on good and less good periods of any individual player. He [Vermaelen] took that remarkably well.”