The defender, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2009, completed a move to Barcelona yesterday.
The manager told The Mirror: "He behaved outstandingly and with dignity. I'm grateful for him and wish him well."
Mikel Arteta has been appointed as the club's captain following Vermaelen's departure.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 18 |
| 2 | Manchester CityMan City | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 17 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 13 |
| 6 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| 7 | Fulham | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 11 |
| 8 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| 9 | Brentford | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 10 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
| 11 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 12 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 8 |
| 13 | Bournemouth | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 8 |
| 14 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 7 |
| 15 | Leicester CityLeicester | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 6 |
| 16 | Everton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 5 |
| 17 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 4 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| 19 | Southampton | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 1 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 1 |
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