5 goals already and we aren't even half way through the season. But this is not why the guy was bought in the first place. He was bought to replace Kolo, and boy has he been a revelation or what!? Forget Sol Campbell, this guy is the best thus far.

11Gunners celebrates 'Wenger's Best Defensive Signing' to date..

Thomas Vermaelen is a name any Arsenal fan is not unaware of these days. After all he is that damn good. The Belgian was first spotted by Arsenal's recruits way back in 2007, when the Gunners squared off with Ajax in the pre-season tourney i.e. the Amsterdam Tournament. Having restrained the might of Thierry 'GOD' Henry over the duration of the game, Wenger preferred bookmarking him for a future look-in. How us Gooners cherish that decision of his is only we know. Today, the 'Verminator' stays tall in our ranks and looks as if he belonged here right through. The £10 million fee Arsenal payed for him seems a pittance given the vast potential he has at his peril and no one better than Lord Wenger to help harness that. Here Arsene recalls what he saw in Vermaelen two years back:

"I loved it. As a centre-back you need to be fully committed. He is now [almost] 24, but at that time he was maybe 21 and wanted to show he could compete."

"I don't know or remember if they shook hands afterwards, but I remember some very committed games at the Ajax tournament. He played against Thierry Henry and kept him quiet. I thought 'oh' and remembered the name. I put him in my brain and kept it in there."

The guy has had a terrific start to his Arsenal career, something which has helped him gain the Captaincy of his National side as well. In the recent critical World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Estonia, he led the Belgian side to the pitch having debuted for them only 3 years back in 2006 against Luxembourg. A testimony to the effort he has put in towards his development.

Technical accomplishments were in-bred right from the start as he belonged to the famed Ajax Academy, which for ages has produced stalwarts. What remained to be seen was whether he could step-up and adjust to the physical demands and rigours of the Premier League. One has to accept, he has done all that and more. Initially skeptics had questioned his height, or rather the lack of it! But again, no questioning that. Wenger quipped:

"You can question his height, but not his leap. That makes up for it. He is taller than you expect him to be. He's not small. He has a very strong upper body and has a very good leap. His leap is very sharp and that's important. If two players go for a ball the one who jumps first will win it."

He was rightfully awarded the 'Player of the Month' piece in August by the Arsenal fans which I'm sure helped shrug off any doubts he could have had before joining the Gunners as to whether he can survive here. Arsenal have tasted defeat in just 2 of the 19 games played this season, and even those two were highly debatable. It is largely fue to the defensive cover Thomas and William have provided us. We can't thank them enough. What we can do is wish them all the best for the months to come, and to Vermaelen in particular, who celebrates his 24th birthday tomorrow:

"Many happy returns of the day mate. May you Gunn forever"

On behalf of Gooners from India and across the World, here's to the 'Verminator'..