English Premier League news: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks for defensive reinforcements
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is surveying the transfer market for a centre-back after receiving news that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 is still no closer to a return to first-team action.
The Belgian international has not featured for the Gunners since August after injuring his Achilles on international duty leaving new French duo http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Johan-Djourou-c18779 to cover.
With the latter still easing his way back from injury after a year on the sidelines and Squillaci currently suffering from a hamstring problem, the north-London outfit are now very short of options at the back.
Spanish youngster Ignasi Miquel has been mooted for possible promotion to the first-team while midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804 is another who could fill in; however, it appears more likely that Wenger will open the purse strings to bring
in a new face at the Emirates.
Speaking to Arsenal TV Online about the injury situation, Wenger confirmed:
“He [Vermaelen] has another check today. He had another setback on Saturday that we are concerned with. We are consulting top specialists around the world. We’ll 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 will be out for a maximum of three weeks, minimum two. It is a hamstring injury but it is not too bad - a grade one. He’ll be back in two weeks if all goes well.”
Bosnian international http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emir-Spahic-c12523, a transfer target in the summer, is one possible recruit with the 30-year-old Montpellier star confirming that he nearly sealed a ‘dream’ move to London last August. The combative centre-back
revealed:
“When I first heard about Arsenal’s interest in the summer it was something really special to me.
“When a club like Arsenal are interested it is something special for any footballer, and I was honoured. Unfortunately a deal could not work, and we could not conclude a deal.
“Currently I have not heard from Arsene Wenger. But my management are in talks with a couple of other Premier League clubs. I am actually waiting for some news.
“If Arsenal were interested again I could not say no. In the summer Montpellier were not interested in selling me because he (the manager) did not want to weaken the team. But I hope that something could happen in the next 7-10
days. Arsenal would be something really special for me personally.”
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