Source: Daily_Mail
Thomas Vermaelen: Arsenal must get serious about title charge
Thomas Vermaelen has warned Arsenal cannot afford to be off their game for one moment if they are to mount a serious title challenge once again.[LNB]The Gunners open the quest for a first championship since 2004 at Liverpool on Sunday, where the Belgian centre-half could well be captain should Cesc Fabregasnot be deemed match fit.[LNB]Arsene Wenger's men failed to stay the distance in the last campaign, with lapses in concentration proving costly. [LNB] Gunner get serious: Vermaelen says Arsenal can not afford any slip-ups this season[LNB]Points which would have kept them in the hunt were thrown away in conceding a last-minute equaliser at Birmingham and then inexplicably losing at Wigan having been 2-0 ahead.[LNB]Vermaelen, though, insists the Gunners are wiser for the experience.[LNB]'You have to look at all games which we lost, and each one had its own story,' Vermaelen told Arsenal TV Online.[LNB]'In football, it is really difficult to perform at a high level in every game - and that is what we have to do every year. We are one year older now, more experienced.[LNB]'For myself, as an individual, I have learned a lot last year and I hope I can improve.[LNB]'I feel the same pressure as I did last year, that is to be as good for the team as I can, to perform the best I can and to win some things.[LNB] Ready to go: Vermaelen believes with Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal are well-equipped to challenge for honours[LNB]'The difference now is that everything is not new to me anymore, but sometimes the second season is more difficult than the first.'[LNB]Vermaelen, who settled straight into the team after his £10million arrival from Ajax last summer, maintains the players cannot wait for the action to start again.[LNB]'We are all very positive and have had a good pre-season,' said the 24-year-old, who was away in Finland with the Belgian national team this week.[LNB]'We have trained hard, are motivated and are ready for the first game against Liverpool.'[LNB] Sign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsSchwarzer showdown: Keeper flies in to confront Hughes over Arsenal moveWenger's No 1 target Mertesacker snubs Arsenal to stay at BremenGallas demands put Tottenham off of bid for former Arsenal captain GallasARSENAL FC
