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. 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. 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. 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. "We have some problems," Wenger said when assessing his squad on their return from the midweek internationals. "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. "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." 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. "I am not so tall, I know that, so you have to be good at reading the game," Vermaelen said. "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."

Source: Eurosport