Thomas Vermaelen profile
Name
Thomas Vermaelen
Born
November 14, 1985
Kapellen, Belgium
Position
Defender
Squad Number
5
Previous Club(s)
KFC Germinal Beerschot
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
RKC Waalwijk (Loan)
Joined Arsenal
June 19, 2009
Arsenal Debut
Everton (a)
Premier League
August 15, 2009
Won 6-1
First Arsenal Goal
Everton (a)
Premier League
August 15, 2009
Won 6-1
Thomas Vermaelen looks set to have a long, prosperous Arsenal career.
He was the Club’s major summer signing in 2009 and has proved to be an ideal replacement for Kolo Toure, who left for Manchester City.
Thomas captained Ajax last term but his arrival at Emirates Stadium still raised a few eyebrows. At six feet tall, was he big enough to cut it as a Premier League centre back?
The answer has been a resounding ‘yes’. Thomas looks perfectly at home in English football. His tackling ability, aerial strength, positional awareness and calm distribution have already made him a fans’ favourite and he made a dream debut, scoring with a thumping header as Arsenal beat Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park.
A Belgian international, Thomas made his first-team debut for Ajax at just 18 and went on to make 143 appearances for the Dutch giants. He has European pedigree too - the centre back played against Arsenal twice in the 2005/06 Champions League.
MY YEAR
January
Thomas started six of Arsenal's seven games in January, missing only the FA Cup trip to Stoke. The Belgian defender had to be substituted in the first half of the 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa but despite initial fears he may have broken his leg, he started the following game at home to Manchester United and scored Arsenal's goal in the 3-1 defeat. He also scored in the 4-2 home win over Bolton.
December
Thomas played in all six of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures in December, helping the Gunners to clean sheets against Stoke City, Hull City and Aston Villa. Speaking after the Villa game Thomas hailed Cesc Fabregas as "the best midfielder I have played alongside".
November
Thomas started all five of Arsenal's games in November and played the long ball Samir Nasri took control of to score the Gunners' first goal of a 2-0 win over Standard Liege. Thomas scored for Belgium as they beat Hungary 3-0 in an international friendly.
5. Thomas Vermaelen - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2009-2010 | 25 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 7 |
| Totals | 25 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 7 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Thomas Vermaelen - News
-
Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Vermaelen passed fit to face Man United -
Fri, Jan 29, 2010
'We'll do the maximum to get Vermaelen fit' -
Thu, Jan 28, 2010
No break for Vermaelen but he may miss Utd -
Thu, Jan 28, 2010
Campbell - I'm ready to step in for Vermaelen -
Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Wenger on Vermaelen's injury at Aston Villa -
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
TV Online: Vermaelen pre-Stoke exclusive -
Wed, Jan 20, 2010
The Knowledge: Vermaelen v Alan Steele -
Mon, Dec 28, 2009
Vermaelen impressed by 'visionary' Fabregas -
Mon, Dec 21, 2009
TV Online: Arshavin and Vermaelen exclusives -
Mon, Dec 7, 2009
Vermaelen - Arshavin can fill Van Persie void
