Arsenal squad is strong enough, insists Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen was named Arsenal's new captain after Robin van Persie's exit Photo: Nike

Thomas Vermaelen is convinced Arsenal’s squad is strong enough to compete for the top honours this season despite the Gunners’ alarming dip in form.

Arsène Wenger’s men suffered their second straight defeat in midweek, losing 2-0 to Schalke at home following last weekend’s loss at Norwich.

The defeats have inevitably led to questions over Arsenal’s chances of challenging for silverware this term, with the Gunners in ninth place in the Premier League table and 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

But captain Vermaelen is sure his side will bounce back quickly ahead of Saturday’s clash with Queens Park Rangers at The Emirates.

“Things can turn around really quickly and in these times you have to stick together as a group and as a club,” Vermaelen told Arsenal’s website.

“I’m really positive this group has the quality to win games again.

“At the moment a lot of players are coming back. We’ve never had so many fit players in the past as at the moment. I think our squad is strong enough.

“It’s a little bit negative at the moment because we had two disappointing results. But in football it can turn really quickly and on Saturday [against QPR] it can be different again.

“That’s the positive about England. You play so many games, sometimes three times a week, so you have another chance really quickly to get a good result again.”