Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Is Captain Thomas Vermaelen Open To A Move From Emirates At End Of Season?

The Arsenal Gunners are off to a magnificent start in the Premier League. Opening the 2013-2014 campaign with five wins and one draw in their first seven matches, the Gunners are certainly on their way to improving upon last season's fourth place finish in the twenty-team league. Led by the offensive consistency of goal scorers Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud - 4 goals in 7 EPL matches each - Arsenal is currently tied atop the table with Liverpool with each team earning a total of 16 points.

Despite the quick start, the club has recently been involved in a series of rumors concerning the notion that captain Thomas Vermaelen may in fact be open to a departure from the Emirates at the end of the season if he does not receive an increase in playing time. The 27-year-old defender joined the Gunners in 2009 and in five seasons with the club, the Belgium national star has grown into one of the most recognizable players in the league. Recently replaced in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up due to the consistent play of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, Vermaelen may decide to look elsewhere come next season.

"I'll have to think about that when it's necessary," the Arsenal captain said recently regarding his future. "January is still a few months ahead. Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that's for sure. People ask me if I panic because I'm not playing a lot but I'm not. I have spoken to the manager but it will remain private between us. Things can happen in a split second and change my situation. That can happen tomorrow or next weekend. In that case, we will speak differently in January. I have to be ready for that."

Belgium comfortably won Group A in the European pool of World Cup qualifying and while Vermaelen will certainly be part of the talented international club's run in the 2014 tournament next summer, the 27-year-old also wants to be featured on a regular basis with his Premier League team.

If Arsenal continues to play top-level soccer, Arsene Wenger won't look to change anything, leaving the possibility open that his captain could look elsewhere heading into the 2014-2015 campaign.

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