Thomas Vermaelen believes that the competition for places in the centre of Arsenal s defence can only be healthy.
Since the Belgian’s return from long-term injury, he has featured in rotation for the English Premier League club with colleagues Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger s policy appears to have paid off, with the Gunners having won eight of their last nine games in all competitions.
The boss has a lot of choices at the moment, and all of the centre-backs are fit which helps too, the 26-year-old told the club’s official website.
There’s a lot of competition and that can only be good for the team.
It’s good to be able to rest players when they need it, so I don’t think it’s a problem if we have to rotate because we train together all the time.
We know each other’s qualities, so it doesn’t matter who plays on the day.
The Belgium international believes he has had to adjust his game since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Ajax in 2009.
I must say that in the last few years here at Arsenal I have learnt a lot about good positioning, he said.
I’ve also learnt a lot about organisation and talking to the players in front of you, because if you can help them know where they should be as well, it makes your job easier too.
I think that’s what you learn when you get older.
Vermaelen started alongside Koscielny in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League Group F victory over Borussia Dortmund, and will be looking to keep his place for the visit of Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
