Defender in call for Arsenal to move on from Van Persie

Transfer news: Thomas Vermaelen still believes Gunners can win title
Thursday, August 16, 2012
6:29 PM

The departure of Robin van Persie must not distract Arsenal from focusing on mounting a sustained assault on the Barclays Premier League, that’s according to Thomas Vermaelen.

The former Gunners skipper is on his way to Manchester United to finalise the formalities of a £24million switch to Old Trafford, having

earlier in the summer announced he would not be signing a new deal.

Arsenal were prepared to make the Dutchman their key striker, who last season bagged 30 Premier League goals, the highest paid player in the club’s history, but reluctantly agreed to sanction his departure when it became clear Van Persie wanted to move.

Belgian defender Vermaelen is now likely to inherit the captain’s armband, and insists everyone must put the disappointment of losing Van Persie to one side as they prepare for Saturday’s kick-off against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium.

“He was fantastic for us in the last year, scored lots of goals and I am disappointed he is going, but we have to focus on the next season with Arsenal,” Vermaelen told Sky Sports News.

“We have to fight and I am confident we have a squad to win something.

“We start Saturday and this is all clear now, Robin is leaving and we have to move on.”