Thomas Vermaelen is expected to start for Arsenal against Chelsea this weekend.

Vermaelen has been passed fit to play his first Premier League match for more than two months at Chelsea on Saturday.

The Belgium international missed 33 Premier League matches last season because of an Achilles injury and has sat out another seven this season after sustaining a similar injury in August.

The 25-year-old Vermaelen made his comeback in Tuesday's 2-1 League Cup win over Bolton. He had to be replaced because of cramp in a calf but Arsenal say he will be fit to play at Stamford Bridge.