Vermaelen joined Arsenal in a #10 million ($15.7 million) transfer from Ajax in July 2009 and has made 67 Premier League appearances for the Gunners. -Photo by AFP

LONDON: Arsene Wenger has named Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen as Arsenal's new captain following Robin van Persie's move to Manchester United.

Vermaelen has already skippered Arsenal at various times over the last two seasons and, with previous captain van Persie on the verge of completing his switch to Old Trafford, the centre-back will now wear the armband on a permanent basis.

Wenger, speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener against Sunderland, also confirmed that Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta will be Arsenal's new vice-captain.

“The new captain is Vermaelen and the vice-captain is Arteta,” Wenger said.

“Vermaelen was (the previous) vice-captain, so it is a quick decision. I think we have many potential captains in the squad, but at the moment it will be like that.”

Vermaelen joined Arsenal in a #10 million ($15.7 million) transfer from Ajax in July 2009 and has made 67 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Editorial

Trump’s folly
Updated 13 Feb, 2025

Trump’s folly

This latest pronouncement only reinforces the fears of those who see the plan as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.
Corruption ranking
13 Feb, 2025

Corruption ranking

IT comes as little surprise. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, unveiled on...
Support from remittances
13 Feb, 2025

Support from remittances

EVEN though workers’ remittances dipped, albeit negligibly, in January on a month-over-month basis, the earnings...
Ill omens
Updated 12 Feb, 2025

Ill omens

One wonders whether institutional leadership realises the long-term ramifications of the ongoing "remaking" of judiciary.
Sunken dreams
12 Feb, 2025

Sunken dreams

ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has ...
Hate in India
12 Feb, 2025

Hate in India

HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime...