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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown: Thomas Vermaelen had an outstanding season but now he must grow
Ex-England man wants Belgian to 'become a leader' at the club...
27 May 2010 20:34:00
By Stephen Darwin
Former Arsenal star Martin Keown has hailed Thomas Vermaelen's first season at the Emirates Stadium and has challenged him to push on to greater heights next term.
The 24-year-old Belgium international joined the north Londoners from Ajax in the summer and has settled into life in the Premier League with ease at the heart of the Gunners' defence.
In what proved, by boss Arsene Wenger's own admission, a disappointing season defensively for Arsenal this term, Vermaelen was one of the few to excel in his role at centre-back and Keown has now called on the Belgian to build on his hugely successful first year in England.
"He's been outstanding, without doubt, and it's [only] his first year," Keown told Arsenal TV Online.
"What I'd like to see him now do is grow, I'd like to see him become a leader, I'd like to see him become more vocal. It's difficult watching from the sidelines but I get the feeling he is still feeling his way into the team.
"What I love about him is that he attacks the ball. People criticised him and said he was just five foot 11 but he proved it doesn't matter. We need him to grow, we need him to understand his role. Once he does that he can bring the rest of the back four with him and organise that line."
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The 24-year-old Belgium international joined the north Londoners from Ajax in the summer and has settled into life in the Premier League with ease at the heart of the Gunners' defence.
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In what proved, by boss Arsene Wenger's own admission, a disappointing season defensively for Arsenal this term, Vermaelen was one of the few to excel in his role at centre-back and Keown has now called on the Belgian to build on his hugely successful first year in England.
"He's been outstanding, without doubt, and it's [only] his first year," Keown told Arsenal TV Online.
"What I'd like to see him now do is grow, I'd like to see him become a leader, I'd like to see him become more vocal. It's difficult watching from the sidelines but I get the feeling he is still feeling his way into the team.
"What I love about him is that he attacks the ball. People criticised him and said he was just five foot 11 but he proved it doesn't matter. We need him to grow, we need him to understand his role. Once he does that he can bring the rest of the back four with him and organise that line."
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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