Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Thomas Vermaelen are part of his future plans.

Speculation over the duo's future surfaced following the Frenchman's decision to leave them both out of the Gunners' Champions League exit against Bayern Munich.

"Szczesny? I rate him highly and have a big respect for what he's done," talkSPORT quotes Wenger as saying. "And Vermaelen? He is a very important part of our squad. He has a fantastic attitude and motivation."

Arsenal turn their attention to the Premier League this weekend as they prepare to take on Swansea City.