• Premier League

Vermaelen setback forces Wenger into market

ESPN staff
January 11, 2011
Thomas Vermaelen has made just three appearances this season © Getty Images
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is hunting a defender after Thomas Vermaelen suffered a fresh injury setback.

Vermaelen, who has made just three appearances this season due to an Achilles problem, was expected to return to first-team action at the end of January - but his comeback has been delayed.

With Sebastien Squillaci ruled out for three weeks, Arsenal now have just two fit central defenders - Johan Djourou, no stranger to the treatment table, and Laurent Koscielny - and Wenger admits that he must make a signing.

"Vermaelen had another setback on Saturday that we are concerned with," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "We are consulting top specialists around the world. He has another check today, and we will know more on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately I can't give you any precise date, but I concede that, with this little setback from Thomas, we are in a situation where we will have to look around."

Squillaci's injury, picked up in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Leeds United, is not as bad as first feared, however. "Squillaci will be out for a maximum of three weeks, minimum two," Wenger said. "It is a hamstring injury but it is not too bad - a grade one. He will be back in two weeks if all goes well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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