Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is ready to play alongside whoever it takes as long as he’s on the pitch to help the Gunners.

One of the best players for Arsenal against West Bromwich Albion, the Belgium International explained that footballers should be professional enough to be ready to play alongside different players when asked about his relationship with Per Mertesacker after the mid-week game against Olympique Marseille in the Champions League.

On the Germany International, the 25-year old explained that before the game the two only trained together for a few minutes adding that he is ready to play alongside him again or as it was the case today with France’s Laurent Koscielny.

On target at the Emirates Stadium, Vermaelen was indeed fantastic against West Brom as the Gunners eased past the Baggies and continued their positive run as they registered their seventh consecutive positive result.

On the Arsenal defensive department, Vermaelen said:

You have to pair with everybody. It doesn’t matter for me who is playing or who I am playing with.

We know each other’s qualities and we know that because we are training every day with each other.

It is up to the boss because he makes the selection of who is going to play.

It was the first time for me [alongside Mertesacker on Tuesday] and I haven’t been training with him a lot – maybe once for a few minutes.

For me, it is not a problem. I watched him play alongside Koscielny and I have a good idea of his qualities and what he is like as a player.

You have to be professional enough to cope with that.