Arsene Wenger says Thomas Vermaelen's future at the club not guaranteed

Thomas Vermaelen: Future “tense”

Arsene Wenger has admitted for the first time in fromt of media that club captain Thomas Vermaelen might leave the Gunners.

Vermaelen joined Arsenal in 2009 from Ajax Amsterdam for an initial fee of €10 million. The Belgian was an instant hit amonngs the Gunners, becoming the mainstay at the back for them.

However, inconsistent play in the last couple of years has seen the Belgian relegated to the the bench, losing out on his place to Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Speaking in a post-match press conference following Arsenal's pre-season opener at Boreham Wood, Wenger said: "I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring another centre-back in for sure."

The Belgian has one year remaining in his contract at North London, and has been recently linked with a move to Manchester United.