Thomas Vermaelen

A commanding centre back who signed for Arsenal in June 2009. An elegant yet powerful, commanding and combative defender, Thomas is blessed with a terrific leap and presents a serious threat when moving up to support the attack.

He had an impressive first season for the Gunners in 2009-10, but after starting 2010-11 in the line-up alongside Laurent Koscielny he suffered an achilles injury whilst on international duty and it was not until towards the end of the campaign that he returned to action.

He was again absent for several weeks shortly after the start of the 2011-12 season then spent time in the left-back position before eventually returning to the centre of defence. Thomas developed in the youth academy at Ajax eventually progressing to become team captain before his move to Arsenal.

He won his first cap for Belgium in March 2006 and has appeared more than 30 times for his country.