Source: Team_Talk
TV: We're Gunner end trophy drought
Thomas Vermaelen is convinced Arsenal can end their five-year trophy drought next season - and says the Gunners are "working hard".[LNB] Vermaelen could have new company at the heart of the Gunners defence as Laurent Koscielny closes in on a £10million switch to The Emirates.[LNB]Arsenal still have interest at the World Cup, where Holland striker Robin van Persie and captain Cesc Fabregas, the Spain midfielder and Barcelona target, are preparing for their respective semi-finals.[LNB]However, manager Arsene Wenger is already fine-tuning his preparations for the new campaign, which will open with a trip to Anfield.[LNB]The squad is set to begin returning to Arsenal's Hertfordshire training complex later this week ahead of the traditional pre-season friendly at Barnet on July 17, although those who have been in international action will get extra time off.[LNB]Belgian centre-back Vermaelen was Arsenal's only summer signing last year, but proved another gem unearthed by Wenger as the £10million former Ajax man settled quickly into the English game.[LNB]With veterans William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre set to leave after the end of their contracts, and Sol Campbell considering his options, Wenger is eager to bolster the backline, having already secured the capture of long-term target Marouane Chamakh, the Morocco striker.[LNB]Koscielny, 24, is understood to have finalised personal terms on a four-year deal worth around £10million to French club Lorient, who are set to sign Bruno Manga as a replacement.[LNB]How the young Frenchman adapts to the hustle and bustle of English top-flight football remains to be seen.[LNB]However Vermaelen, also 24, believes Arsenal can mount a sustained challenge for honours having again promised so much but failed to deliver in 2010.[LNB]"It is not easy when you come from another country because the Premier League is the hardest league in the world," he told Arsenal TV Online.[LNB]"I learned a lot from playing at a higher level, I have learned from different situations in the games, so I hope that I can improve next year.[LNB]"This year it did not work out, but we have a lot of good players and a good team with a lot of quality.[LNB]"We have to continue what we have been doing, we are working hard.[LNB]"I am convinced that next year we can win trophies with this team.[LNB]"We had a lot of injuries, and if we can all be fit for a long time next season, it will be a good year for us."[LNB]Campbell, who turns 36 in September, also has an offer from Celtic, which is understood to be for two years rather than just the season extension on offer from the Gunners.[LNB]Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown played with Campbell as part of Wenger's Invincibles side from 2003/2004.[LNB]He believes the veteran former England skipper's experience would prove crucial.[LNB]"I am worried that he [Koscielny] is young. When he played, I think Sol Campbell displayed an element that was missing from the team," Keown told www.Sport.co.uk. "There is no substitute for experience.[LNB]"I think Arsenal have suffered over the last five years for not having quite enough experience."
