Thomas Vermaelen has secured a little piece of history.

The Belgian defender was named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for August and has now scooped the September prize too. It's the first time a new signing has achieved that particular Arsenal 'double'.

And you can hardly blame the fans for picking Thomas again. The 23-year-old was outstanding in defence during September and got forward to net FOUR times and race to the top of Arsenal's scoring charts.

Thomas tapped in from close range at Standard Liege and scored twice - including one spectacular effort - as Wigan were beaten at Emirates Stadium.

The Belgian contributed to a clean sheet in that game and helped keep Fulham and Olympiacos at bay before ending September in style with a venomous 25-yard strike against Blackburn.

Thomas received 39.4 per cent of the votes cast - an improvement on his August share. Vito Mannone, so impressive in goal last month, was second with 19.5 per cent of the vote, just ahead of Robin van Persie.