Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still talking about more reinforcements for his squad, but is for the first time acknowledging that team captain Thomas Vermaelen may be leaving.
Vermaelen was for the most part a bench warmer last season as he sat on watching Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny take over the defensive duties, which has led the Belgium international to be linked with a move to Manchester United.
When talking to Sky Sports following the Gunners first pre-season friendly at Borham Wood Wenger said: “I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring another centre-back in for sure.”
So far the Gunners have signed Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy and will definitely bring in a new goalkeeper to keep Wojciech Szczesny on his toes.
The name everyone is talking about right now though is Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira with Wenger saying: “It’s not over, there’s still a long way to go.
“I can’t give you any names because you’re never sure if you can do what you want, but we’re still out there to strengthen our squad.”
Aaron Ramsey was among the team in the 2-0 win which featured a Kris Olsson’s goal and a Benik Afobe penalty along with an appearance for Abou Diaby, who missed the end of last season with a knee injury.
Wenger said: “We have big competition in midfield, but we have many players who didn’t play many games last year – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, and Abou Diaby.
“They’re back now but it’s very difficult to predict how fit they will be at the start of the season.”
