• Premier League

Vermaelen sidelined for six weeks after surgery

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 6, 2011
Thomas Vermaelen missed much of last season through injury © Getty Images
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Arsenal's injury woes in defence have continued, with Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen set to spend around six weeks watching on from the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

Vermaelen picked up an injury to his left ankle in the Gunners' UEFA Champions League qualifier against Udinese, and did not play any part in the club's 8-2 capitulation at Old Trafford against Manchester United as a result.

Vermaelen's father claims his son flew to Sweden to have surgery on the problem on Monday. He told Sporza: "The doctor in Stockholm, where Thomas was operated on last time too, recognised the problem now. He would not take any chances and immediately operated on Thomas. He expects five to six weeks of unavailability.''

The news will come as a blow to Arsene Wenger, who has recently lost Jack Wilshere for up to three months with an ankle problem, while fellow central defender Laurent Koscielny was taken from the field during Arsenal's home loss to Liverpool.

Greater responsibility, and pressure, will subsequently fall on Arsenal's new recruits in Vermaelen's absence, with the likes of Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young and Per Mertesacker all making the move to the Emirates shortly before the close of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal will host Swansea on Saturday as they aim to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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