Arsenal's new £11m signing Thomas Vermaelen promises success

Thomas Vermaelen (Getty)

Arsenal's new signing Thomas Vermaelen has vowed to bring silverware back to the Emirates.

The £11million capture, who can play at centre-half or left-back, has signed a fiveyear deal after completing his move from Ajax.

He said last night: "I just want to assure the Arsenal fans I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season."

Vermaelen, 23, made more than 100 appearances for Ajax after joining the Dutch club in 2004.

The Belgian international, added: "Arsenal is a great club with a world-class manager, high-quality players and a fantastic stadium.

"Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will challenge for trophies."

But while Vermaelen was euphoric, William Gallas was considering his future.

The increased competition for his place has come at the end of a season in which he was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, humiliated in front of teammates and ostracised by his fellow defender Kolo Toure, with whom he fell out.

As a result of the lack of unity at the back, Arsenal were routinely exploited, leaving fans concerned about their ability to finish in the Champions League places.

It was only when Arsenal eventually recovered some consistency in the final third of the season that they secured fourth place.

Even Wenger has admitted: "In the opposition half, we are as good as Manchester United. We have conceded more goals and that is where the difference lies - we have conceded 36, they have conceded 24." Wenger (above) believes Vermaelen will add some much-needed steel to his rearguard.

He said: "Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup and is also a regular with the Belgium team. Thomas is strong technically with a positive winner's attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team."

His new side face a playoff to reach the group stages of the Champions League, but Vermaelen is in no doubt of just what Arsenal - who were knocked out at the semi-final stage of both the FA Cup and in Europe - can achieve.

He added: "I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again."

Vermaelen, who captained Ajax last season and played against the Gunners in the 2005-06 European campaign, added: "I am also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which, for me, is the best league in the world."

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