Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen looking for focus from Arsenal after crucial victory

Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal’s centre-back is looking ahead to the Champions League quarter-finals after the Gunners strolled to an easy 5-0 victory over Porto on Tuesday night.

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With a treble from Nicklas Bendtner and strikes from Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue, the Gunners ran riot against Porto at the Emirates, overcoming a 2-1 first leg deficit to progress to the final eight.

After the game Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that it might be beneficial to play against either Manchester United or Chelsea in the next round in order for the Gunners to prove that they can beat them, after struggling against them in the Premier League.

Vermaelen echoed his boss’ sentiment, admitting that Arsenal love to play against their Premier League rivals.

“It’s always a good game if we play against Manchester and Chelsea. We enjoy it a lot playing against such good teams.”

After being left for dead in the Premier League only a few weeks ago, Vermaelen, a Belgian international knows that Arsenal are still in contention for some silverware this season.

“We are still in the race for the [Premier] League and the Champions League. We have to stay focused, every game is difficult.”

With such a close race in the league and progression into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Vermaelen has stressed that if his squad concentrates then it might mean glory for Arsenal.

“We have to focus every game and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”