Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels they did great business in upgrading Thomas Vermaelen's contract.

Vermaelen signed a long-term contract at Emirates Stadium in October after returning from an injury-hit 2010/11 campaign.

Wenger told arsenal.com: "Somewhere as well you must give us some credit. We took him from Ajax, when nobody knew about him and he became a player. So it is give and give. Then you have a happy marriage.

"I was always clear he was part of the team you build for tomorrow, no matter what happens at the end of the season. That is still true today.

"We don't know what happens at the end of the season but Vermaelen has the class to play for Arsenal so you want him to sign for a long contract. The fact he did it made me very happy."