Vermaelen: No second season blues for me

Defender Tomas Vermaelen is determined not to be affected by the traditional second season blues that tend to affect new players.

The Belgian international understands that there is no time to rest on his laurels and instead wants to perform even better this coming season.

Vermaelen has been one of the players who has escaped criticism from the fans last season, mainly because of his commitment and drive during matches.

You could also see that the absolute disgust on his face when a result doesn't go our way, or even better, when we concede a goal.

That's the attitude that the fans want to see in the players, and that is what's lacking at the moment.

With the departures of four centre backs, the former Ajax captain is suddenly the senior figure in the heart of our defence, a reverse of his role when he first joined, being mentored by William Gallas.

Fondly known as 'The Verminator', Vermaelen said: "Yes, that's true, and I think that's more difficult.

"You have to keep performing every year. If you play for Arsenal you can never say 'I had a good year, so now I'll ease off'. That's not possible.

"People ask you to do better every year and I will try to do that. I hope we can perform as a team and that's the way we will achieve what we want.

"If you go to a new club, everything is new, and most of the time that makes it easier. For example if you start when you are 18 and you have your first season, that first season is always easier, and it's the same when you go to a new club.

"But it's always more difficult to stay at that level, and next year that is the challenge: not only to maintain the level but to improve upon it because it wasn't enough last season, we didn't achieve anything. We have to grow again."

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