Vermaelen is a very good player, but i have the impression that he is overrated...it's as if all Arsenal's problems will be solved once he'll be back...
They won't...not all problems will be solved.
Hi Gerd - i was apprehensive too when i heard he was coming, and seeing him and RVP go head to head at an Amsterdam tournament, that was the only game i could judge him by. Albeit, I'm watching more Erevidise on ESPN now.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the most 'consistent' defender, 'gung-ho', and scores many goals. He is also the most vocal, and that adheres him to fans as the Verminator. However, he is not without his faults - his eagerness to run into tackles has left us exposed in the past - i.e., against Barca in the CL two season ago when he ran too close to Messi to win a header, missed, and then Keita looped a header over him and onto Messi's path to goal.
He does a great job as a sweeper at the back, and complements a slower 'blocker' type tackler - like Koscielny. Anything he misses, Vermaelen will collect.
I see our strongest back four as:
Sagna - Vermaelen - Mertesacker - Gibbs*
Not sure on Andre Santos yet at LB.
However, the coming back of one man will not create a better defence when there is:
1) No communication
2) Lack of decisiveness
3) Unable to play the line
4) No confidence in ability
5) Playing a high line with slow CB's (see Chelsea defend from their penalty box due to Terry's slowness).
6) Not defending set pieces (come on Arsene - it's now our trademark!)
7) Confusion with the Zonal system in defence
Couple this with a DMF who doesn't sit in front of the defence, and plays more as an AMF, and the other two wingers not tracking back to protect the fullbacks. See Young cover Evra for instance.
Finally, the tactics of 4-4-3 were based around Fabregas and Nasri. We simply do not have the players currently who can keep possession and play triangles. Therefore, losing possession allows the other team to attack and exploit the issues i've raised above.
I see us going back to 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 to provide solidity and boost confidence.
Just some ideas i had scibbling on a pad on my way in this morning to work....