Wenger on Sol, Gallas and Vermaelen's importance

Manager Arsène Wenger yesterday heaped praise on defender Thomas Vermaelen, saying that the Belgian captain has been playing through the pain barrier due to the club's injury crisis.

The 'Verminator', as we call him, has only missed one Premier League game this season, having started eight more matches than any other Arsenal player.

Besides the Belgian's no nonsense approach to defending, the left-footed former Ajax captain has also contributed at the other end of the field, scoring 8 goals in 39 appearances.

Wenger explained: "I quickly knew that Thomas Vermaelen was a good football player but you don't know while he doesn't come to England, how tough he is mentally and physically.

"That was the big surprise to us because this guy has been exceptional this year and he has played so many games, sometimes with big pain.

"That's why I believe he will be a very important player in the future for us."

On renewing Sol Campbell's contract

The boss also gave an update on defenders Sol Campbell and William Gallas, saying that there had been no movement in the contracts department for those two.

Campbell joined on a six month contract in the January transfer window, and has been an inspired signing by the Frenchman, whereas talks with Gallas are on hold (like every other player) due to the need to focus on our remaining five games of the season.

Wenger added: "I don't know yet. I don't want officially to commit on that because I don't know what I will do.

"At the start he came to ask me if I could help him to get fit. Now he plays tomorrow against Tottenham. So that doesn't mean he has signed a contract for next season.

"Maybe he will not want to play, I don't know what I will want to do. At the moment we have short-term targets.

"There is no news [with William]. There's no impasse and no agreement."

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