Despite spending two months on the sidelines, the centre-back feels fit and raring to go.
The Belgium international has been beset with injuries in recent times and on Tuesday night made his latest return after a spell out with an Achilles problem
Vermaelen played 84 minutes of the Gunners' Carling Cup fourth-round 2-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers, before he was forced off with a calf injury.
Fortunately it proved to be nothing more than cramp and the defender now insists he is ready to face London rivals Chelsea this weekend if called upon.
FELT FRESH
"I feel great," Vermaelen told Arsenal Player. "I trained [on Monday] with the team and I felt good straight away so I felt confident for [last night].
"Personally I don't believe in that [needing games to regain sharpness].
"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 straight away.
"That's why I wanted to play today and I think it's good.
"It was a good game for us, we fought hard and it was a deserved win for us I think."
He added: "It was great to be back and to get time on the pitch.
"I felt fresh, I'm okay and am available for Saturday."
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