Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has hailed the Gunners' new assistant manager Steve Bould following their encouraging start to the 2012-13 Premier League season.

Bould replaced the retired Pat Rice in the summer and has helped Arsenal with their defensive work, with the North London giants yet to concede in three league games.

"He is our assistant now and has a lot of experience at a high level with Arsenal," Vermaelen told Sky Sports News.

"We work a lot on our defensive play and you can see that with our three clean sheets."

Arsenal have picked up five points from three matches in the Premier League so far.