Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy has welcomed the arrival of former Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen.

"We needed someone like [Vermaelen], really hard and commanding, and that's what we've got," Clichy told the Guardian. "He can bring the best out of William [Gallas] too. William's game is a lot to do with positioning, and he's an amazing defender one against one, but maybe he needs someone really strong alongside him.

"We have that now, but it is early yet. Two years ago we had an amazing seven months and were playing fantastically, but in the end we didn't win anything. We will have to keep focused, try our best game after game to win points and be at the top at the end of the season."