The confirmation did not come as something of a surprise, but after it did, reality finally set in that another Arsenal captain is own his way out of the club. But that much as being expected since he lost his place in the first team 18 months ago, it is his destination that has caused much concern though, with Arsene Wenger confirming in his post member’s day press conference that Manchester United are amongst several clubs that have submitted bids for the 28 year old. This piece takes a look at five reasons why Arsene Wenger should not sell the captain to Manchester United.
1. Selling two captains to one club would not speak well of the club.
Arsenal sold Robin Van Persie to Manchester United two years ago in the summer of 2012. He left under a cloud, and many Arsenal faithful have still not gotten over it. And adding Thomas Vermaelen to that list would not tell well of the club. He should not be sold to the Manchester United for this reason.
2. We have struggled to beat top clubs players have been sold to in the Premier League.
Arsenal have struggled to beat it rivals that has several of it former players in their ranks. Since the departure of Sami Nasri and Gael Clichy to Manchester United, Arsenal’s head to head record against the blue side of Manchester have not been great. These players know the club inside out, and they know how Arsene Wenger operates, and they can leak the club’s tactics.
3. Arsenal would be strengthening a direct rival.
Robin Van Persie practically won the league for Manchester United the season he was sold. And he left at the age of 29. Thomas Vermaelen is just 28, which means as a defender he is coming into his peak years.
With the precedent of other former players who have come back to hunt Arsenal in the past, it is best Arsenal avoid selling him to Manchester United.
4. Time to stop the pinching from rivals.
Since the summer of 2009, Arsenal has lost several key players to direct rivals within the Premier League. The earlier departures (Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor) were sanctioned by the club, but the club’s hand was forced in the case of Sami Nasri, Gael Clichy and Robin Van Persie. And with Bacary Sagna joining that trio in Manchester this summer, that list has increased. The club can stop it now by a starting with Thomas Vermaelen as it holds the ace in this situation.
5. Situation is different from 2012.
In 2012 Robin Van Persie moved to Old Trafford. Another Arsenal captain that crossed the divide while practically forcing the club to sell him to Manchester United as the Old Trafford outfit were practically the only club that matched his valuation, with Juventus baulking on the price. But in this case, several clubs interested in his signature are prepared to meet his asking price with Barcelona already one of the clubs that have bided for the Arsenal captain. Added to that, the club is no longer hard pressed financially which means they can sell to a club outside the Premier league even if the bid is lower than Manchester United’s.
