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Wenger ready to splash the cash as troubled Vermaelen suffers another injury blow
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 4:34 PM on 11th January 2011
Injury blow: Vermaelen's last game for Arsenal was the 2-1 win over Blackburn on August 28
Arsene Wenger has signalled his intent to buy a defender during the January transfer window after Thomas Vermaelen suffered another injury setback.
The Belgium international has been out of action for almost five months with an achilles problem, but Wenger had hoped he could be close to a first-team return.
However, the 25-year-old incurred an added complication on his road to recovery at the weekend, and Wenger is now facing up to the fact that he could be without his star defender for the forseable future.
'He has another check today,' Wenger told the Arsenal website. '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.'
On the sidelines: Squillaci (left) could be out of action for three weeks
Wenger is preparing his side for their semi-final first leg tie against Ipswich on Wednesday with Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou as his only two recognised centre-halves.
Summer signing Sebastien Squillaci has joined Vermaelen on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and could be out until February.
In demand: Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in Cahill (right)
'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.'
Wenger is a keen admirer of Gary Cahill, but will have to fight off competition from Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also considering a move for the highly-rated Bolton defender.
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 4:34 PM on 11th January 2011
Injury blow: Vermaelen's last game for Arsenal was the 2-1 win over Blackburn on August 28Arsene Wenger has signalled his intent to buy a defender during the January transfer window after Thomas Vermaelen suffered another injury setback.
The Belgium international has been out of action for almost five months with an achilles problem, but Wenger had hoped he could be close to a first-team return.
However, the 25-year-old incurred an added complication on his road to recovery at the weekend, and Wenger is now facing up to the fact that he could be without his star defender for the forseable future.
'He has another check today,' Wenger told the Arsenal website. '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.'
On the sidelines: Squillaci (left) could be out of action for three weeks Wenger is preparing his side for their semi-final first leg tie against Ipswich on Wednesday with Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou as his only two recognised centre-halves.
Summer signing Sebastien Squillaci has joined Vermaelen on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and could be out until February.
In demand: Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in Cahill (right)'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.'
Wenger is a keen admirer of Gary Cahill, but will have to fight off competition from Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also considering a move for the highly-rated Bolton defender.
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