The Dutch striker has been in astonishing form this calendar year but was rested for the opening hour of Tuesday’s Champions League match against Marseille, which finished goalless.
Despite failing to score in Van Persie’s absence, Vermaelen told The Times: “He is a world-class player and an amazing striker but we have a big squad and he can’t play every game and we have enough strikers to fit in in his place.
“I think that we have enough players who can decide a game, like Gervinho, who is very quick, and we created chances without Robin, so we are confident that we can create and make goals without Robin.”
The Belgian has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, playing just five games in the last campaign due to an Achilles tendon problem, and returned to action again in midweek after a two-month lay-off following ankle surgery.
“It has been a difficult time for me, especially last year being out for pretty much the whole season,” he conceded.
“I came back strong, had a great pre-season and played the first four games and then I got injured on the other side.
“I was not too stressed about it as I knew what it was as I had experience of it from last season so I knew that it would only take six weeks for me to come back. So I was not worried.”
The Marseille draw was the first time that the 25-year-old has been partnered with new signing Per Mertesacker in central defence, and despite their lack of familiarity, Vermaelen believes he understands his colleague’s play well enough.
“I have not been training with him a lot, maybe once for a few minutes, and of course it is not a problem as I have watched him playing alongside Laurent Koscielny and I have a good vision of his qualities,” he stated.
“There is always criticism and complaining about Arsenal’s defence,” the centre-back continued, addressing concerns over the back line which has shipped 21 goals in 10 league matches so far this season.
“What can I say about it? It does not worry me at all. I am on the pitch to do my best. I am confident and don’t care what people say.
“We have won eight from 10 and drawn one and that is the most important thing.
“Of course, it is not only about defence — the shape of the team, the organisation and that is something really important in the game and something that we can really improve on.”
