• Premier League

Surgery rules Vermaelen out until March

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 16, 2011
Thomas Vermaelen has made only three appearances for Arsenal this season © Getty Images
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Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is set to undergo surgery for his persistent Achilles problem and will be out of action for at least another six weeks.

Vermaelen has been on the sidelines since August and has been nearing a return for the past few weeks. Laurent Koscielny, Sebastian Squillaci and Johan Djourou have filled in during his absence and manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he will have to delve into the transfer market in order to fill the gap in January.

The 25-year-old told Belgian website Sporza.be that he would be targeting a return to action in March and that surgery was the only option left.

West Ham United's Matthew Upson, Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill and Blackburn Rovers' Christopher Samba have all been tipped with a switch to the Emirates after Werder Bremen star Per Mertesacker ruled himself out of a move.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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