Kompany, 32, has not played since suffering a groin injury in the team's 0-0 friendly draw with Portugal on June 2.

Thomas Vermaelen succeeded where Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar failed as he fired the only goal of the game past the excellent Carlos Kameni 18 minutes from time.

Thomas Vermaelen did not play a single minute of European football last season but the Belgian still picked up a Champions League medal and even went up to collect it before Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Thomas Vermaelen has been plagued by hamstring problems that he originally suffered whilst representing his country at last year's World Cup.

Thomas Vermaelen's only appearance so far since his high profile move was in a friendly game for Barcelona's reserves in September.

Belgium international defender Thomas Vermaelen, who completed his move to Barcelona from Arsenal on Sunday, picked up an injury during the World Cup in Brazil, the club said in a statement.

Manchester United had initially been the front-runners to sign Thomas Vermaelen, who was said to be keen to stay in the Premier League and was uncertain if he would start regularly at the Camp Nou.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Manchester United are interested in Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen who has previously also been linked to a possible Barcelona move.

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are suffering from minor injuries.

Meanwhile the French manager insisted the excitement generated by their upcoming Champions League tie would mean no loss of concentration for Arsenal in a match against second-tier Rovers that will take the winners into the FA Cup quarter-finals.