In his last press conference before today’s game at home against Bolton, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed new signing Sebastien Squillaci will start for the Gunners.

With Thomas Vermaelen suffering a small injury on International duty which will keep him out of this afternoon’s game, Wenger revealed the Frenchman is fit enough to play after featuring for the Reserves team, on Tuesday, in the 4-3 win over Blackburn. It will be Squillaci’s first big game in an Arsenal jersey and according to Wenger he is an adequate replacement for the Belgian.

Speaking on how serious the 24-year old’s injury is, Wenger gave the good news that he will only miss one game and should be back for Wednesday’s game against Braga in the Champions League.

The manager concluded by again confirming how midfielder Samir Nasri is back in the squad, trained regularly and could feature against Owen Coyle’s side, with Wenger delighted to finally see one of his players making a speedy recovery from injury rather than suffering a setback.

Ahead of this afternoon’s 15:00 kick-off, Wenger said:

He will play tomorrow. I know Sebastien very well and the target was to give him 90 minutes for the Reserves. Just to get his positional play back.

He is experienced and it is good he can compensate the absence of Vermaelen tomorrow.

Vermaelen’s [injury] should be short-term and has a chance to play on Wednesday night.

Nasri is back in the squad, which is quicker than expected. It is not often you can give this kind of news. We are happy he is back.