Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby Injury News

Thomas Vermaelen could make his return from a prolonged ankle injury Oct. 29 against Chelsea, according to ESPN Soccernet.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed the news in a recent interview with the North London club's official website.

Wenger has listed Vermaelen's return date to first-team action as "two weeks away", and has confirmed that the Belgian international defender, who missed his country's recent crucial European qualifier against Germany, has returned to training with the club.

Vermaelen's return could prove a vital boost for what has been a suspect Arsenal defense so far this season.

Per Mertesacker has slotted into a starting role in central defense since his August move from Werder Bremen, but the 6'6" enforcer needs time to adjust to the furious speed of Premier League football.

That transition could be helped by a seasoned performer of Vermaelen's quality.

The Belgian was named to the PFA Team of the Year in his debut season of Premier League football (2009-10), and has gained widespread praise for his positioning and strength.

The former Ajax captain is a proven leader, and should he manage to remain healthy, could mark a change in Arsenal's fortunes this season.

The other noteworthy news from the injury front is Abou Diaby.

Yet to make an appearance this season, Diaby's current condition was "very good news" to Wenger, according to The Sun.  He was no doubt speaking ahead of the weekend tie against Sunderland.

The languid French midfielder is back in full training, according to the Arsenal boss, and is expected to make his full return in 10 days' time, according to Arsenal.com.

Whether the Frenchman will still be considered part and parcel of Wenger's first-team designs remains to be seen.

Youngsters Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong have both seen playing time during Diaby's absence, and when coupled with the summer signings of midfielders Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun (granted, the Israeli plays a different position), the center of the park has become even more crowded than in recent seasons, when it looked like Los Angeles traffic rush-hour traffic.

Still, it can never hurt to have a player of Diaby's experience back in the fold. When on form, he is a nightmare for opposing defenders, using his rangy frame to hold possession expertly.

He has also shown in the past to be an adept finisher when going forward in attack.

Vermaelen's will certainly be the more highly-anticipated return, but should Diaby avoid the niggling injuries that have riddled him since that horrible broken ankle nearly six years ago (Arsenal World), he could prove an important contributor in what is likely to be a salvage campaign for the Gunners.