Thomas Vermaelen: I'm convinced Arsenal can win the Champions League

Belgian defender confident after 6-2 aggregate success over Porto...

10 Mar 2010 19:18:00

By Alan McGuinness

More On :  Arsenal FC, Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Vermaelen, Cesc Fàbregas
Thomas Vermaelen - Arsenal (PA)

Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen is confident the club can win the Champions League.

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The Gunners progressed to the quarter finals of the competition with a 6-2 aggregate win over Porto. 

Many have written the club off this season, but Arsene Wenger's side remain in the race for the Premier League title, as well as having a chance of winning Europe's premier club competition.

"I'm convinced we can win this competition [Champions League]," he said, reports Press Association Sport.

However, Vermaelen stressed Arsenal would be taking things slowly and won't get carried away.

"We've been written off twice already I think. We're still in the race for both things, for the league and the Champions League, but you have to stay focused on every game and the next game is Hull City. You have to win every game.

"We will see at the end of the season. You have to focus every game and we will see where we are at the end."

The defender also spoke about Cesc Fabregas, who missed the game against the Portuguese champions through injury.

"Cesc is really important for us but we have a lot of good players in the squad who can fill in his place," Vermaelen said.

Vermaelen was pleased to see Nicklas Bendtner score a hat-trick on Tuesday, and bounce back from his erratic display against Burnley at the weekend.

He said: "As a striker you have to stay confident all the time because there are some games when you don't score and that was the case on Saturday.

"Against Porto he responded brilliantly. He didn't only score three goals, he won a lot of headers and that is important for the team.

"He doesn't struggle with confidence and that is a good thing for a striker. You always need a good centre-forward who scores goals for the team, he did that against Porto and I hope he will score a lot of goals in the future.

"He is still young, He has a lot of qualities - he's here at Arsenal so that means he has a lot of qualities."

He added: "On Saturday he was still confident and I appreciate that because for a striker you have to be like that all the time.

"After Porto he was no different to how he was against Burnley, he was just happy with the three goals and how he performed."

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