Thomas Vermaelen is a role model at Arsenal, says Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker has described Thomas Vermaelen as a “role model” for everyone at Arsenal despite his lack of playing time this season.

The Belgium international has been limited to just three Premier League starts this term as Arsene Wenger settled on Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as his first-choice centre-half pairing.

You have to mention the players who are not involved in the starting 11

Per Mertesacker

However, Mertesacker was full of praise for the way captain Vermaelen has conducted himself even if his first-team opportunities have been severely limited in the current campaign.

“With Laurent, Thomas and myself I think we push each other to good form,” Metresacker told Arsenal’s website.

“At the moment it is linked to me and Laurent, but I have to say that Thomas is a role model for everyone here.

“Not just because he is the skipper, but in the way he communicates, handles his situation when he’s not playing.

“People always speak about those who are in the team, but you have to mention the players who are not involved in the starting 11, but who have the right influence on the rest of the team.”