Arsene Wenger confirms Thomas Vermaelen return

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that his captain Thomas Vermaelen is fit to face Liverpool in the Premier League today.

Vermaelen limped out of the Gunners' 5-1 win over West Ham United last week and subsequently missed Saturday's FA Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion as a precaution.

Wenger has insisted that the Belgian defender was merely rested last weekend ahead of a busy run of fixtures and is ready to start against the Reds.

He told the club's official website: "Thomas Vermaelen is back and available.

"And he is not the only one, the players who were rested are back in contention, too."

Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere all dropped to the bench for the 3-2 win at Brighton but are fighting for a recall for tonight's clash between the Champions League contenders at the Emirates.