Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is back. After playing 84 minutes yesterday, the centre-back is fit and ready for more action.

Speaking to Arsenal Player at the end of the game, the Belgium International revealed that it was great to be back on the pitch after spending the last two months on the sidelines adding that the game went according to plan and that he doesn’t need any games to regain sharpness.

Asked about the win, the 25-year old declared that the Gunners did well, fought hard, never gave up and were brave enough to recover from a one-goal deficit to go on and win the game and reach the next round of the Cup.

And on the performance of midfielder Andrey Arshavin, Vermaelen concluded by saying that he is a quality player, one who can make quick decisions and win games for the Gunners, which is just what he did against Owen Coyle’s men.

After the 2-1 win, the Belgian said:

[My first game in two months?] Yes, I feel great, I trained yesterday for the first time with the team.

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 and if you are a football player you have to be there straight away and if you’re a pro as well. 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. It’s not always easy to come back so quickly from one-nil down, you have to stay confident all the time.

[Andrey Arshavin?] He did great, he’s a quality player who can make quick decisions, he can win games for us, that’s what he did today.

[If we can win the Cup?] Yes, of course, we’re in the Quarter Finals now so anything can happen.