Thomas Vermaelen is convinced he has joined a club going places after becoming Arsenal's first signing of the summer.
The Belgian international defender, 23, has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners after agreeing what was reported to be a £10million move from Ajax.
"Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies," Vermaelen said in an interview with www.arsenal.com.
Manager Arsene Wenger has moved quickly to strengthen a squad which was often exploited at the back last season, when Arsenal eventually recovered some consistency to finish in fourth place.
The Gunners face a play-off to reach the group stages of the Champions League, but Vermaelen is in no doubt of just what his new club - who were knocked out at the semi-final stage of both the FA Cup and in Europe - can achieve.
"Arsenal are a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium," added Vermaelen.
"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 with Arsenal."
Vermaelen, who captained Ajax last season and played against the Gunners in the 2005/2006 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.
"I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season."
Wenger was keen to add to his defensive options, which were depleted somewhat towards the end of the campaign by injury to veteran William Gallas, who could now be allowed to leave Emirates Stadium.
Comment 1 - 8 of 8
With Man utd selling their best, and chelsea growing old and decrepid, Arsenal will shine through and soar like a bird in the sky and win the lot year after year after year! liverpool nuffin and villa and everton to come 2nd and 3rd respectfully! ha ha ha ha ha wotever!
sounds @#$%
2009/2010 season is gonna be THE GUNNERS breaking point with regards to trophies. Arsenal nannot afford not winning any trophy come next season 'cos it will spell great doom for them. The young players will step up while the inexperienced ones would have added to their kitty. GO GO GUNNERS, IT'S OURS NOW TO LOOSE.
McCarthy (Warri, Nigeria 234-8050 6672 98)
comment 1, I dont know what you know about AW, but you may have noticed, he is one of the only managers who gets good players, and almost never makes a loss on them, and that too, not just good but some world class players, good buy in my opinion. And I agree with eabara, they do need to keep some of the old guys, that is pretty much where our strength can come from their guidance to the younger players...
How dare u make that statement that William Gallas could be allowed to leave Arsenal. With this new signing Gallas MUST stay to make our defence impenetratible. We must have to keep Gallas to keep competition alive in the team generally. The young boys need someone who will not look at their faces and tell them they can do better in the pitch. Someone who has a fighting spirit when their moral is low. Gallas, Walcot,Arshavin Alumnia and Kolo Toure are the only players who truely work extra hard for the team. So, they MUST all stay if we are to win any trophies next season. Mr Wenger! You MUST learn from the misake you made by selling GILBERTO SILVER. Edward
Gallas is not leaving anywhere, 1-1=1 we should look at how to offlaod the injury prone players, and not the consistent ones.
middles who
10 million? only to be sold to middlesborough 2 years later for 3 million...... great buy
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