Tackle of the Week: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) v. Celtic (video)

(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Having arrived in England under fire for being too short, Arsenal’s new centre-half Thomas Vermaelen has so far dispelled the pre-season doubters with a couple of fine performances against Everton and Celtic in the opening games of the season.

Against the Bhoys there was one specific moment during the first half when Vermaelen really earned his plaudits. The Belgian found himself in the Celtic box as the Londoners had a free-kick in a dangerous position. However the dead ball ran loose, and Celtic sprung into a counter-attack with Vermaelen stranded at the wrong end of the pitch.

Then, like a steam-train, Vermaelen sprinted the full length of the pitch to quickly return to his defensive duties, ending with a last-ditch tackle to deny Scott Brown a goal-scoring opportunity.

Thomas Vermaelen’s brilliant tackle can be seen here.

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