- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is delighted with Thomas Vermaelen's new contract.
"It is a privilege to play for Arsenal Football Club and many players understand that," said the manager.
"On our side we are happy to extend his contract because he has shown he has the quality to play for us. He is a leader as well and he is a left-footed player, you do not find many of them. It is important to find a player in his position who has a good first pass with his left foot.
"He is versatile too, you could imagine him playing in midfield or left back in an emergency."
- Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has signed a new contract.
"I am really happy to have signed a new contract with Arsenal. I always had the intention to stay here. I feel there is a big belief in me from the club, from the boss and from the fans and that is one of the reasons why I stayed," he said.
"Arsenal is a fantastic club. We have great supporters, we're doing well financially and we are playing with some quality young players now and they will develop, which is very good for the future."
Manager Arsene Wenger was equally thrilled with the news, adding: "We are absolutely delighted that Thomas has signed a new long-term contract.
"Our plan is always to sign top-quality players and with Thomas extending his contract, we have done just that. Thomas is a special player, who has always made a huge contribution on the pitch and we are looking forward to him being a part of our future at Arsenal Football Club."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits the pressure is getting to him.
He told French radio: "I have periods where I am tired, yes. It's true that the close season makes people think you're resting but it's during that that you work the most.
"I got in the habit of working all the time. I think I must have been lazy in a previous life and was punished to come back in a very tiring and stressing job.
"I'd like to go to Tahiti for a month but I can't. From time to time I would like to because I'm running out of time. Everyone gets older."
He added: "When I arrive at the gates of Heaven the Good Lord will ask 'what did you do in your life?'
"I will respond 'I tried to win football matches.' He will say: 'Are you certain that's all?' But, well, that's the story of my life."
He added: "The season is long. I am positive but you will say it's my job to be positive. I feel there is potential in the team and good mentality.
"We will be judged on the level of our game throughout the season. We are on the way up — we will tell if we get there in May."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits concerns missing out on a top four finish.
Boss Wenger, 10th in the Prem, said: "I am worried about us not finishing in the top four."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says finances are dictating football success.
"Players go to Manchester City because they pay much better than Arsenal," he said.
"They are a force clearly, because they have exceptional financial clout, so it's not surprising what they've done. Look at Paris Saint-Germain. They have more money than anyone else in France and they're top of the league. There's always a financial logic behind who ends up being successful in any league. If Barcelona or Real Madrid paid three times less than Malaga, players would go to Malaga.
"That's always the case. It's as simple as that. So when a player has the choice between two clubs who have the same ambitions, if he can earn three times as much at one club, he'll go there. That's logical."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says defender Per Mertesacker will get better.
Wenger said: "I believe Mertesacker had to adjust to the pace and commitment of the English game but I feel that in every game he gets stronger. Let's not forget that we missed Koscielny as well. I personally feel that the defensive frailties we had recently were more down to other departments in the team than the defenders."
- Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal were on the verge of meltdown during the summer market.
"This summer was the most agitated I've ever known. I had half the players in the dressing room who wanted to leave," he revealed.
"You prepare a season, we go to Asia, we don't know who's coming, the players who are still there are asking themselves what is happening and if an earthquake is hitting the club. It's extraordinarily difficult.
"I think that what saved us is that we are a club which is extremely solid and united. There are many other clubs who would have exploded."
- Kieran Gibbs says Arsenal will survive the sales of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.
"Obviously, we became an easy target when the players left but we've made some excellent signings," he said. "I wish all the best to the players who left because they served their time at Arsenal really well and the players who have come in will do the same.
"Per [Mertesacker] speaks the language well and is a good organiser. Mikel [Arteta] and Yossi [Benayoun] have Premier League experience so they settled really quickly. The other players might take longer but they have started well. Gervinho looks very dangerous. It's nice to see new faces at the club and it has brought a new energy."
- Kieran Gibbs is determined to come good for Arsenal.
"I learned a lot from Gael when I was behind him and I always watch the top left-backs like Ashley," the 22-year-old says. "I try to see how they play but also add my own game into that.
"But when you look at Gael and Ashley, they're always fit. I want to be a regular starter like them."
Gibbs also said: "I've struggled in the last two years with bad injuries so I want to get as many appearances as possible this season and reach a high level of performance.
"When you play regularly you improve."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he tried to sign Olympique Marseille midfielder Lucho Gonzalez in August.
Wenger said: "Lucho was a player I liked. They didn't want to give him out on loan. We didn't go as far as discussing a permanent move."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Olympique Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew is not a transfer target.
"I like the player but we didn't approach him," said the Arsenal manager.
"We have many wingers. We brought in Gervinho and we have Arshavin, Walcott and we brought in Oxlade-Chamberlain too.
"Ayew is a very talented player but in the middle we have a lot of players too. On Wednesday we have eight midfielders and we could have had Jack Wilshere too but he is injured."
- Arsenal are interested in VVV Venlo striker Ahmed Musa.
Musa turned down Manchester United and Barcelona to join Venlo two years ago, but is expected to leave in the next 12 months.
Arsenal are keeping tabs on his form this season - which has been welcomed by Musa. The youngster admits he grew idolising Gunners legend Nwankwo Kanu and would love to follow his path to London
- Arsenal are set to recall striker Wellington Silva from his loan with Levante.
But Wellington has struggled during two loans spells at Levante - and got into trouble last season for eating too much pizza and spending too much time on Twitter.
The Brazil youth international went back to the Spanish club for another season in the summer, but has not impressed coach Juan Ignacio Martinez.
Arsenal will now look to loan him out elsewhere in January.
- Rhys Murphy remains on the books at Arsenal.
But the attacker featured for Arsenal reserves yesterday in defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
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