Thomas Vermaelen

5. Thomas Vermaelen

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.