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Thomas Vermaelen has backed his former boss Arsene Wenger to build on Arsenal's Champions League success over Olympiakos and go all the way to win the Premier League title.

The Barcelona defender made 150 appearances in five season with the Gunners but won just one trophy, the FA Cup in 2014.

Although living in Barcelona and playing alongside the likes of Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Neymar, the Belgian still has a lot of affection for Arsenal, watching most of their games and staying in touch with former team-mates Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.

And although the Gunners have had to deal with a mounting injury crisis this season, missing key players such as Ramsey, Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla, he believes Arsene Wenger can take advantage of chaotic campaigns for the Premier League's top clubs and lead Arsenal to a first league title since 2004.

“Definitely, he has done it before, he has a winning mentality, he wants to win, and of course he has the character to win the title,” Vermaelen told MirrorFootball.

(Image: Getty)

“I've been watching them and they look very strong. They are missing some important players but if you play so many games that can happen.

“It's difficult to predict in England who is going to be the champions but if you look at the results Arsenal are always up there and I hope the injured players come back.

“I hope they can do it. I think it’s important to stay injury free but if the players are available they’re definitely up there and I can see them winning it.”

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As well as challenging for the title, Arsenal can also look forward to Monday’s Champions League draw after their impressive 3-0 win in Athens.

Vermaelen was in action for Barcelona against Bayer Leverkusen while Oliver Giroud was firing Arsenal into the last 16 and he was delighted to see his former team-mates join the Catalans in the next round, where they could potentially meet, with the European champions topping their Group E and the Gunners finishing second in Group F.

In pics - Olympiakos 0-3 Arsenal:

“I'm not sure I was surprised because they’re always capable of something, they always qualify for the knock out stages,” said the defender.

“I knew it would be difficult because going there to Olympiakos is not easy, and I know that as I've been there twice, so credit to them. If you win 3-0 there you deserve to go through.”

Vermaelen’s first season at Barcelona was marred by a chronic hamstring injury which required an operation, meaning he missed out on their treble winning season, only making one appearance in the campaign.

But now fully recovered, he is getting a run in the team and next stop for his side after Saturday’s Liga match with Deportivo La Coruna is the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan and the opportunity to become champions of the world.

(Image: Miguel Ruiz)

“It’s going to be a great experience and it’s something different, two massive games and a big trophy at stake. We’ll go there with a lot of confidence, we’re in very good form at the moment so hopefully we can do it,” he said.

“Last season for me is forgotten, I don't think about it anymore. I’ve been back working for seven months now so it’s not something I think back about.

"It would be great to win the Club World Cup but don't feel I have to win it because I was injured last year. It's just something I want to win.”