Vermaelen return boosts Arsenal

Champions League

Contract talks won't dull Van Persie's edge - Wenger

Defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Carl Jenkinson have both been passed fit to play in Arsenal's Champions League match with Marseille on Tuesday.

Jenkinson suffered a knee injury away at Marseille two weeks ago, while Vermaelen is still working his way back to fitness after an Achilles problem.

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is available after missing Saturday's win at Chelsea because of the terms of his loan deal.

However, striker Marouane Chamakh is out with a knee injury.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach) remains sidelined, along with midfielders Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere and full-back Bacary Sagna (all ankle).

The potential return of both Jenkinson and Vermaelen will be a boost for the Gunners, whose shaky defence played a large part in their poor start to the league season.

But the Gunners have turned around their fortunes of late, having climbed to seventh in the Premier League courtesy of Saturday's 5-3 win at Chelsea.

They also top Champions League Group F following their last-gasp 1-0 victory over Marseille in France two weeks ago and can qualify for the last 16 with another victory on Tuesday.

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They [Marseille] have gained in confidence in between the two games like we have so it should be an interesting tie. But for us it's an opportunity to qualify and of course we want to take this chance.

Arsene Wenger Arsenal manager

However, manager Arsene Wenger expects a tough game against a Marseille side he feels look more comfortable away from home and who are in better shape mentally following three straight domestic wins.

"They are a side who can defend well with very physical and quick players on the break, so I believe that the counter attack suits them more than dominating the game," Wenger said.

"They have gained in confidence in between the two games like we have so it should be an interesting tie. But for us it's an opportunity to qualify and of course we want to take this chance."

The Arsenal front-line will again be led by skipper Robin van Persie, who continued his superb run of form with a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, taking his tally to 28 goals in 27 league games.

Wenger described Van Persie as "the perfect captain" but was keen to stress it was not all about the Dutchman.

"When he starts to score goals people ask are you not too dependent on him?" added Wenger.

"Let's say there's no coincidence when a player scores goals, it's when the whole team does well. I have never seen in my life a player who scores goals when the team doesn't create chances."