Tottenham Hotspur had the chance to snap-up rugged stopper Thomas Vermaelen from under the noses of fierce rivals Arsenal, but decided against the move.

In what looks to be a rather silly decision now, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has revealed that he was offered the services of the 23-year-old Belgian, but his response was 'thanks, but no thanks'.

Given the defensive injuries suffered by The Lillywhites so far this term, then in hindsight the former Pompey boss might well be wishing he had said 'thanks, we'll take him'. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Now he must watch the former Ajax man from the opposition dugout - beginning this afternoon in the North London derby at The Emirates.

Vermaelen has wasted no time in making himself something of a fan favourite at Arsenal. A string of no-nonsense defensive displays and an eye for goal have certainly endeared him to the Emirates faithful and Redknapp will be hoping his decision to snub the stopper doesn't come back to haunt him this afternoon.

'arry revealed that Vermaelen came recommended as a left-back - not necessarily as a centre-back - and this was one of the main reasons for his decision not to take him to White Hart Lane, as the club were well covered in that position. News that is sure to be well received in Islington no doubt.

"Vermaelen has done very well," he said in The Mirror.

“I was recommended him as a left-back but we were strong in that position.
“People who recommended him didn’t speak of him as a central defender, but he and Gallas look very solid at the back.

"He’s very strong at left back and in central defence as well.”