Rowley hid among trees to scout Vermaelen for Arsenal

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has revealed how far Gunners scout Steve Rowley would go to check on him while at Ajax.

Rowley headed for the Belgian seaside resort of Oostduinkerke to watch him train with the national squad last season.

On a bumpy pitch, playing in a three-versus-four training match, Vermaelen made Rowley realise just what Arsene Wenger had spotted.

Vermaelen gave his all: focused, aggressive and with a leap that defied his lack of height.

"The scout told me afterwards that he had hidden in the forest," said Vermaelen of Rowley's visit.

"They know more about me here at Arsenal than you might think."