Speaking with the Belgian paper Nieuwsblad, Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has been talking about his mistakes this season, players who have influenced him and his desire for a winter break

He said

I note here, the wearing of the armband is of enormous importance, but that does not mean that my performance suffers. I have not changed.

Precisely, Wenger gave me the armband because he knows who I am.

I am someone who can yell in a locker room and intervenes if it is necessary to do so. I noticed that some players, once appointed captain, forced it a bit. I try to avoid falling in to this trap.

[Vertonghan] who is obviously already a leader in the locker room at Tottenham and I learned a lot from the mentality of him. We do have different characteristics. He is nosier. Vince [Kompany] is also present on a verbal level. His charisma and leadership are natural.

I will not say I rock the house this season, but I’ve never been dramatic either.

Finally, it is my opinion! I do not think too much about all this as in any career there are lower times.

I’ve played more than 30 official matches this season; you cannot be at the top in each of these matches.

We did not have a choice though; every three days and a match is to be provided. The Premier League is very intense.

You cannot allow yourself to be less than 100%. Not even for one game.

I have, for example, played eight games in a month. This requires rest. A winter break would be welcome, both physically and mentally. But we do not, so we play.