Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen says he hopes to stay at the Emirates.

But the Belgium international won't rule out a move away.

"It's difficult now to judge. I'm with the national team and I do not want to leave," said the defender, who added, "I am happy at Arsenal. Only I did not play much and that creates frustration, occasionally.

"But things can quickly return," says Vermaelen. "I quickly ended up on the bench, but I also quickly can become a first-choice player again. I will work hard for it.

"These are things that happen in professional football. Arsenal is a big club. There is a lot of competition. It is not easy to play in any match. But I don't lose sleep over it."