Thomas Vermaelen plays down Arsenal exit

Arsenal's club captain Thomas Vermaelen has dismissed rumours linking him with an exit from the Emirates during the winter transfer window. 

The Belgian International has dropped down the pecking order, following the excellent form of central defence duo of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker this season.

However, the talented centre-back made his first Premier League start of the campaign during the Gunners' 1-0 defeat away at Manchester United on Sunday, and he insisted that he has no plans of leaving the North London club in the near future. 

"At the moment there is no story. I'm not talking about it. It's now November but any moment things can happen. If they do, I'm ready and I'm not thinking about anything else," Vermaelen said.

"What I have said is that it is not about my situation but what the team do and I'm really happy that we're top of the Premier League. Personally I'm still confident I can play for this club and every chance I get I will do a job for this club."

Vermaelen signed for the Gunners from Eredivisie club Ajax in 2009.