Source: Eurosport
Vermaelen set for Gunners bow
Arsenal may have to do without England forward Theo Walcott for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener at Everton, but centre-half Thomas Vermaelen is ready to make his debut.[LNB] The Belgian centre-back was Arsene Wenger's only summer signing and has recovered from a groin problem. With Kolo Toure having been sold to Manchester City and Johan Djourou (knee) set for a spell out, the 23-year-old is expected to partner veteran William Gallas in a defence which was all too often brutally exposed last season.[LNB] Walcott, meanwhile, needs some more time to recover from a slight back problem which kept him on the bench during England's 2-2 draw in Holland.[LNB] Wenger also revealed goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is set for a spell on the sidelines after needing knee surgery, while midfielder Abou Diaby may miss the Goodison Park contest.[LNB] "We have some problems," Wenger said when assessing his squad on their return from the midweek internationals.[LNB] "We have Theo Walcott, who is not available. Diaby has a little groin problem, but he could be available. "[Also] we have lost Johan Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski because they had injuries. Lukasz had a cartilage surgery. He will be out for two months.[LNB] "Johan has a knee problem that will take some time to cure - one month. Thomas Vermaelen played 45 minutes for Belgium on Wednesday night and came through okay so he will be available."[LNB] At just shy of 6ft, critics have suggested the addition of Vermaelen still leaves the Gunners once again lacking height in a crucial area. However, the former Ajax defender insists there is much more to his game than just sheer physical presence.[LNB] "I am not so tall, I know that, so you have to be good at reading the game," Vermaelen said.[LNB] "I think my heading game is good, I have a good jump and that is positive if you are a centre-back. On the field it is just very important to be smart and thinking all the time."
