Thomas Vermaelen profile
Name
Thomas Vermaelen
Born
November 14, 1985
Kapellen, Belgium
Position
Defender
Squad Number
5
Previous Club(s)
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
RKC Waalwijk (Loan)
KFC Germinal Beerschot
Joined Arsenal
June 19, 2009
After the frustration of sitting out most of 2010/11 with a tendon problem, the Belgian centre back quickly showed supporters what they had been missing last season.
The commanding defender suffered an early-season setback that ruled him out for two months from the end of August, but returned with a series of trademark all-action performances at both ends of the pitch.
Solid and tough at the back, he ventured forward to score three times in six games late in the autumn - although his most memorable strikes came in March, when a dramatic winner against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium was followed by the decisive goal against Everton five days later.
Thomas also demonstrated his versatility with a series of solid performances at left back after Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos sustained mid-season injuries.
Thomas joined Arsenal from Dutch side Ajax in the summer of 2009, quickly becoming a fans’ favourite through his dynamic performances. He was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season after his first campaign at the Club, to which he contributed eight goals - some of them spectacular.
He is captain of the Belgium national side and led his team out against England at Wembley in June. No stranger to such responsibility, he also captained Ajax - the club where he spent nine years, having joined as a teenager from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot.
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 | 33 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 8 |
| 2010-2011 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011-2012 | 28+1 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38+2 | 6 |
| 2012-2013 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| Totals | 85+1 | 13 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 114+2 | 15 |
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
5. Thomas Vermaelen - News
-
Mon, Jan 14, 2013
Vermaelen - Wilshere is so important to us -
Mon, Jan 14, 2013
Vermaelen - I'm confident we'll beat Swansea -
Sat, Jan 12, 2013
Vermaelen - City encounters are always tight -
Wed, Jan 2, 2013
Vermaelen - Let's keep spirit and confidence -
Fri, Dec 28, 2012
Vermaelen - Newcastle goal was my most vital -
Thu, Dec 20, 2012
Vermaelen - Anything can happen in Europe -
Tue, Dec 18, 2012
Vermaelen - The team had a lot to prove -
Fri, Dec 7, 2012
Vermaelen - Negativity is never my style -
Fri, Nov 30, 2012
Vermaelen - We have quality to beat anybody -
Fri, Nov 30, 2012
Wenger - Everton display will help Vermaelen
