Vermaelen ready for Ibrahimovic

Gunners star wary of Swede

By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo.   Last Updated: February 14, 2012 9:17pm

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Thomas Vermaelen: Hoping to shackle AC Milan ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their Champions League clash

Sky Bet

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is ready to shackle the threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the UEFA Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Ibrahimovic, who is currently serving a domestic ban, will lead Milan's attack at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday night.

The Swede scored twice against Arsenal while at Barcelona two seasons ago and Vermaelen is well aware of the threat posed by the striker.

"When I was playing regularly, he had left already, but I had a lot of sessions with him when I was a young player," said Vermaelen.

"I know his qualities, like everybody does. He is a strong and technical player, one of their main players, it is up to us as defenders to keep him quiet tomorrow."