Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Vermaelen lay-off confirmed

15 Apr 2010 - 13:00:35

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Arsenal's disappointing derby defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night has come at a further cost following confirmation that Thomas Vermaelen will be sidelined for 'two to three weeks'.

The Belgium defender limped out of the 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane following an innocuous 20th minute incident.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards the derby defeat had effectively ended their slim Premier League title hopes.

But now the Frenchman has also confirmed that Vermaelen has joined fellow first-choice centre-half William Gallas on the sidelines with a calf injury.

He will definitely miss Sunday's trip to Wigan Athletic and the following weekend's meeting with Manchester City.

"Certainly it is a calf strain. He will be out for two to three weeks," confirmed Wenger.