Inter Milan to offer Arsenal defender a World Cup lifeline

With a World Cup on the horizon, Arsenal’s forgotten man Thomas Vermaelen may be granted an escape route by an Inter side in need of some defensive steel themselves.

It’s been a bit of a fall from grace at the Emirates for former Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen, who last week publicly admitted he may have to consider his future in north London after being reduced to just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season.

Ever since iffy form led him to be axed from Arsene Wenger’s starting XI towards the end of last season, the Belgian has not been able to force his way back into his managers plans.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have gone from strength-to-strength using the preferred pairing of experienced German international Per Mertesacker and Frenchman Laurent Koscielny.

The understanding the duo have formed at the heart of the Gunners’ defence has so far helped to place them at the Premier League summit after eight games and considered serious title contenders – at 9/2 with Ladbrokes – for the first time in many moons.

While Vermaelen may have been to content to try and force his way back into the Arsenal starting line-up in another campaign, the small matter of his place in the Belgium team for the forthcoming World Cup is in serious jeopardy.

This is where Inter enter the equation. The Serie A giants have endured a mixed start to their domestic campaign where they have shifted six goals in their last two games.

In turn this has prompted their boss Walter Mazzarri to start scanning the continent for reinforcements and in his current predicament, Vermaelen could be the perfect match.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim three £10 free bets when you bet £10.