The caveat, though, is that Wenger should do nothing until he has superior cover. Vermaelen has a contract, Arsenal are the club in a position of strength here and, if they are astute, the situation can be used to improve their squad better. If they can’t, they should simply say ‘no’ to Vermaelen. The myth that players automatically get to decide when to leave their club was comprehensively debunked last year by Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney. The clubs got tough and the players actually fell back into line. Arsenal should have been more willing to apply that same stance when Van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas previously became restless. Unless it suits them, they should do the same this summer with Vermaelen.