• Premier League

Vermaelen to return 'in late January'

ESPN staff
December 22, 2010
Thomas Vermaelen has been a big loss to Arsenal © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger has revealed that defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has made just three appearances during an injury-blighted season, is set to return to first-team action in late January.

Since picking up an Achilles injury in August, the Belgian has suffered a number of setbacks in his bid to return to full fitness, meaning that summer arrival Sebastien Squillaci has been forced to walk straight into the side.

The Gunners have failed to convince at the back this season - conceding 19 goals from 17 Premier League games - so Vermaelen's return will provide a timely boost to their flagging push for the title.

"I would say late January," Wenger said. "He is short on fitness and we have to build it up. That will take three to four weeks. He has started now and the signs are good. But I have been hit so many times with backlash that I am very cautious with Vermaelen."

Elsewhere, the Gunners boss will welcome back Lukasz Fabianski and long-term absentee Abou Diaby for the crucial clash with Chelsea on December 27. "We have everybody back," Wenger said. "We had them in the squad for Stoke - Diaby, Fabregas, Van Persie. Fabianski too. They have had one more week to prepare for this game and build up their fitness. That will have helped them of course."

Manuel Almunia, strongly linked with a move back to Spain after the emergence of Fabianski as the club's No. 1, remains on the sidelines.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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