5. Thomas Vermaelen

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

October

After becoming the first new signing in Arsenal history to scoop the Gunners' Player of the Month award in this first two months at the Club, Thomas scored the first goal in the 6-2 win over Blackburn Rovers. The defender struck the ball hard into the bottom corner from 20 yards to equalise for Arsenal after Rovers had taken an early lead.

September

Thomas continued the fine start he has made to his Gunners career with three goals in five games during September. He prodded home Arsenal's equaliser at Standard Liege before bagging a brace at home to Wigan. The first goal was a header from a corner and the second a fine strike from 18 yards.

August

Thomas made an incredible start to his Arsenal career with a goal on debut as the Gunners put six past Everton at Goodison Park. Vermaelen headed home Arsenal's second from Robin van Persie's free kick. The Belgian started all five games in August and slotted comfortably into the back line, something he said was partly down to the experience of William Gallas.

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