Vermaelen set to miss Blues trip

(GSM) – Arsenal will be without defender Thomas Vermaelen, who serves a one-match ban, for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Birmingham City.

The 24-year-old was sent off for a foul on Guillermo Franco, during his sides 2-0 win over West Ham United at the Emirates, that referee Martin Atkinson ruled denied the West Ham striker a goal scoring opportunity.

The goal scoring defender has scored seven league goals following a £10m summer move from Ajax.

Veteran Mikael Silvestre is expected to fill in alongside Sol Campbell following William Gallas absence through what manager Arsene Wenger describes as an “endless calf injury”.

However, Gallas has returned to training with striker Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) expected to be fit.

Holland forward Robin van Persie is stepping up his recovery from several months out with ankle ligament damage. Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Kieran Gibbs (foot) and Johan Djourou (knee) remain sidelined.