Vermaelen ready for Chelsea battle

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has shrugged off suggestions that he will be out of action for a month, after limping off of the pitch during the Gunners' 2-1 victory over Bolton in midweek.

Instead, Vermaelen insists that the substitution was simply cramp and a precaution, and he announced on Twitter that he is ready to play Chelsea this weekend.

"I feel great," Vermaelen said.

"I trained on Monday with the team and felt good, so I felt confident for Tuesday night.

"If I come back from injury after a long time I don’t believe in coming back and getting rhythm.

"I think it is just in your head and a mental thing – if you are a football player you have to be there straightaway.

"It was great to get on the pitch. I felt fresh, I’m okay and available for Saturday."