Thomas Vermaelen maintains Arsenal showed terrific mental strength to go on and record victory at Stoke after midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered an horrific broken leg. The 19-year-old Wales international has now had an operation to repair his fractured tibia and fibula following a challenge from Ryan Shawcross during the second half of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash.
The Gunners are now just three points off the pace, and appear to have a much less testing run-in over the final 10 matches.
Belgium international Vermaelen netted Arsenal's third goal during seven minutes of stoppage time, and feels the way his team-mates recovered from first falling behind to an early goal and then the shock of Ramsey's injury speaks volumes.
"It is just a matter of mentality. These are physical games and you have to be prepared mentally," the centre-back told Arsenal TV Online.
"We knew it would not be easy, the pitch was not great and it was not easy to play our own game.
"We were 1-0 down, but then were better in the duels, and won 2-1, so that is a big sign."
Vermaelen declared: "We are now closer again, and will try to win every game now - we will try to do that for Aaron.
"You have to do it for the team and the club - we have to win every game now to win the league."
