Source: Telegraph
Standard Liege v Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen says life at club is 'like a circus'
Arsene Wenger's side have been surrounded by drama since the new campaign got underway after accusations of diving were directed against Eduardo da Silva, they suffered losses against both Manchester United and City not to mention the fall out Emmanuel Adebayor's actions towards the club have caused.
But defender Vermaelen insists he is not been shocked by the soap-opera that is the Premier League and is happy to take everything in his stride.
Adamant his time playing in the Dutch capital prepared his amply for the ups and downs of English football, he said: I experienced it all with Ajax.
"There was alot of things going on in the clubs [in the Netherlands] everyone was always looking at it. So it's all nothing new for me. Sometimes it's a big circus."
Since his £10 million arrival at Arsenal this summer, Vermaelen has played a significant role in Wenger's backline having struck up an impressive partnership with William Gallas, and the Belgian insists he is happy with his new club.
"The first moment I came to this club, it felt like a family to me," he added. "For a player, it is very important that the feeling is good, and that was the case for me."
Arsenal host Belgian side Standard Liege tonight a club who are making their debut in Europe's elite club competition, having missed out on the group stages last season when beaten by Liverpool in their third round qualifier.
But their lack of experience in Europe's top flight, not to mention the injury worries Arsenal have, is not reason to expect an easy ride, Vermaelen insisted.
"Liege are a good team, what they did last year against Liverpool and also against Everton. We have to be very sharp and focused to win the game."
Wenger has been forced to called on 21-year-old goalkeeper Vito Mannone for the clash after Manuel Almunia was forced to withdraw with a chest infection while his deputy Lukasz Fabianski recovers from knee surgery.
