Thomas Vermaelen has admitted he is thinking about leaving Arsenal after falling out of Arsene Wenger s first XI.
The Belgium international defender is club captain at the Emirates Stadium, but has slipped behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in Wenger’s central-defensive pecking order.
And Vermaelen, who is currently away on international duty, has indicated he may seek pastures new in the January transfer window as he looks to secure a place in his country’s squad for next year s FIFA World Cup.
I ll have to think about that when it s necessary. January is still a few months ahead, the 27-year-old said.
Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that s for sure.
Former Ajax man Vermaelen, who joined Arsenal in 2009, went on to insist he is not yet worried about his lack of first-team action and pledged to try to force his way back into Wenger s plans.
People ask me if I panic because I m not playing a lot but I m not, he added.
I have spoken to the manager but it will remain private between us. Things can happen in a split second and change my situation. That can happen tomorrow or next weekend.
In that case, we will speak differently in January. I have to be ready for that.
Vermaelen was an unused substitute for Belgium in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory in Croatia last Friday, a result that secured their place at Brazil 2014.
