Arsenal star proves that size isn’t everything

Football FanCast columnist Tim Focas feels that Thomas Vermaelen is living proof that size isn't everything.

Over the past four trophy baron seasons, Arsene Wengers search for a no-nonsense centre half has become more long drawn out and painful than channel 4's Big Brother series.

However unlike Big Brother, Arsenal's search for a partner for former captain William Gallas appears to have come to an end with the acquisition of Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax. Although prior to the 23 year-olds solid performance in the 6-1 thumping of Everton on Saturday, the £10 million purchase attracted surprising criticism for the player's apparent lack of height and stature at just less than 6ft.

However, any pre-season concerns over his aerial ability were short-lived, as the 23-year-old enjoyed successful mid-air tussles with his towering international team-mate Marouane Fellaini, lone-striker Jo, and Manchester City bound centre-back Joleon Lescott on Saturday. A start contrast to the Gunners recent centre back frailties with the departed Toure, and the ironically Everton bound Philippe Senderos.

For Ajax, Vermaelen was know a solid man-marker, an astute ball-winner and most importantly for Arsenal fans, good in the air. Although, the saying one swallow doesn't make a summer springs to mind, there is no doubting that Vermaelen's debut was encouraging. Furthermore, the Belgium international even showed he is more than capable in the opposition box by evading his marker to head home a Robin van Persie free-kick during the first-half to cap an exemplary debut.

If Vermaelen size still doesn't detract from arguments around Arsenal's supposed lack of defensive height, speculation that Fulham's 6ft 5 inch Brede Hangeland could soon join him may just enough to finally solve Arsenal's defensive vulnerabilities.