Arsenal's Arsene Wenger insists the club is not looking to offload Thomas Vermaelen this winter.
The Belgian defender has been linked with a possible January departure as he remains out of the Gunners starting line-up but Wenger has made it clear that he is wanted at the Emirates Stadium.
"I have a high respect for his qualities and attitude and I am ready to extend his contract," he said.
"We want Thomas Vermaelen to be happy and have the number of games a player of his class deserves.
"At the moment we are all on board for something this season that is respectable. At the end of the season I can sit down with Thomas and see what he thinks about it."
