We’ve received some positive news on the injury front ahead of next weeks crucial Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich with the Telegraph reporting that Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny are all expected to be fit to face the Germans next Tuesday at the Emirates.

Vermaelen has not played since the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in January after picking up what looking at first to be a minor ankle knock. There were fears the defender may be forced to miss the Bayern game but it appears he’s now winning his fitness fight with Arsene Wenger telling Arsenal.com on Thursday that he may even make the squad to play Blackburn on Saturday:

He is looking quite good and is possibly back for Saturday. He should be in the squad.

Vermaelen also confirmed that he’s been back in training all week and is feeling ‘great’:

“At the moment I feel great, I trained all week, so hopefully I will be back really quickly,” said Vermaelen is quoted as saying by the Telegraph

Wenger also revealed to the clubs official website that Wilshere and Koscielny will face late fitness checks for this weekend’s FA Cup game but the Telegraph claim both players should be back to face Bayern next Tuesday.

Wilshere picked up a thigh injury against Sunderland while Koscielny aggravated a calf problem in the warm up for the game last week but it appears both are on course to make the Champions League last 16 clash.

With Kieran Gibbs out injured, Nacho Monreal cup-tied and Andre Santos off on loan to Gremio, the return of Vermaelen will be vital to face Bayern as he’ll be expected to cover at left-back.  Without the Belgian, we’d be left serious short of options.

I’d like to see Vermaelen, Wilshere and Koscielny all rested for Saturday’s game with Blackburn. A defence of Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker and Monreal should be solid enough to keep the Championship side at bay while Abou Diaby or Aaron Ramsey can step in for Wilshere in midfield. No need to take any unnecessary risks with them, we should have more than enough squad depth to beat Rovers.

Would you risk playing any of the trio against Blackburn? Get involved in the comments section below.

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