Arsenal fullback Thomas Vermaelen suffers injury setback
Arsenal's 24-year-old fullback, Thomas Vermaelen, who suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon back on 7 September while playing for Belgium in a Euro 2012 qualifier, has suffered a setback in his recovery
and will, for the time being, remain out of the Arsenal lineup.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed to reporters recently that Vermaelen aggravated the problem during a training session on Monday and will likely return to see a specialist.
"On the scan, his Achilles is clear," Wenger said. "But as soon as he stays out for a while, it tightens up and he has pain. We don't know the source of his pain."
Vermaelen was said to be only days away from making a return to the lineup, so the news comes as a huge blow to Arsenal who are getting set to take on Wolves on Wednesday, 10 November.
"I don't know where we go with Thomas time-wise but, at the moment, he cannot play," Wenger said about Vermaelen.
Wenger will also be without centre-back Laurent Koscielny who will miss two games after losing his appeal over a red card which he received in Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Sunday, which makes the
Gunners look very thin at the back.
French midfielder Abou Diaby is also out of the lineup and the time frame for his return is unknown.
Arsenal are currently third in the English Premier League with 20 points from 11 matches. Vermaelen has only participated in three of those matches.
Wolves are currently at the other end of the table just two points off the bottom.
Vermaelen took part in 33 league matches for Arsenal last season (his first for the club) and scored seven goals – his own personal best. He was a major factor in helping Arsenal finish third in the English
Premier League and secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
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