Vermaelen playing through pain

Defender insists Gunners will battle until season's conclusion

Last updated: 15th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vermaelen playing through pain

Vermaelen: Excellent season

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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen insists he is not gambling with his long-term fitness as he continues to play while carrying an injury.

The Gunners were afraid that the powerful yet classy centre-back had sustained a fractured leg against Aston Villa in January, but he escaped with heavy bruising and played in the defeat to Manchester United four days later.

Although preferable to a fracture, the bruising would normally be sufficient to warrant a period of inactivity and recovery, however, Vermaelen, arguably the buy of the season, is prepared to play through the pain barrier.

The ex-Ajax man arrived in England last summer and boss Arsene Wenger will now be delighted with his commitment alongside the high level of his performances as Arsenal chase Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

"It turned out that I could play against Manchester United, but after that game I had some more problems, so I went for another scan," Vermaelen said ahead of Wednesday's European Cup trip to Porto.

Fight

"We could see then that there was a big bruise on the bone, and that's all - so it is painful but that can be controlled with medicine and when it is not broken, you can't do too much wrong.

"It is not a big problem to play. Yes it is still there and will take some time to go away, but it is not dangerous."

The defeats to United and Chelsea were setbacks for Arsenal in their title bid, but they have since got back to winning ways with maximum points against Liverpool, when Vermaelen delivered a superb performance.

"We will keep fighting to the end as a team, that is all we can do," he said.

"The important thing is to stay together. When you lose, it is easy to say it is his fault or his fault, but I think it is important to remain as a team and a unit.

"We will battle until the last moment of the season."