Thomas Vermaelen
Vermaelen knock opens door for Squillaci
- 'Thierry finished the story of a legend'
- Arteta – I don’t want to be the 'main man'
- Wenger - Gervinho may be back next weekend
- Wenger - Africa Nations has disappointed
- ‘I’m confident about our big week ahead’
- Top 20 Most Liked
By Richard Clarke
Sebastien Squillaci will make his Arsenal debut against Bolton on Saturday after Thomas Vermaelen picked up an Achilles injury on international duty.
The latter centre back captained Belgium in their defeats to Germany and Turkey over the weekend but came back with a short-term problem.
However, while Vermaelen was playing in Istanbul on Tuesday night, Squillaci was featuring in his first game in an Arsenal shirt as the Reserves beat Blackburn 4-3 at Barnet.
At his press conference on Friday, Wenger confirmed the French international would make his first-team bow at Emirates Stadium this weekend.
"He will play tomorrow," said the manager. "I know Sebastien very well and the target was to give him 90 minutes for the Reserves. Just to get his positional play back.
"He is experienced and it is good he can compensate the absence of Vermaelen tomorrow.
"Vermaelen's [injury] should be short-term and has a chance to play on Wednesday night."
Wenger also confirmed that Samir Nasri will return after knee surgery.
"Nasri is back in the squad, which is quicker than expected," said the manager. "It is not often you can give this kind of news. We are happy he is back."
Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie both have ankle injuries which will sideline them for four to six weeks. Nicklas Bendtner (groin) will be out for a further three or four weeks. Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) is on course to return in November.
[Friday, September 10, 2010]
More Arsenal News
-
Sat, Feb 11, 2012
'Thierry finished the story of a legend' -
Sat, Feb 11, 2012
Sunderland v Arsenal: Choose your MotM -
Sat, Feb 11, 2012
TEAM NEWS: One change for Sunderland trip -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
Wenger - Africa Nations has disappointed -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
‘I’m confident about our big week ahead’ -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
Wenger - Gervinho may be back next weekend -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
Wenger – We are paying back our stadium debt -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
Arsenal train ahead of Sunderland - Pictures -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
Player: Sunderland v Arsenal - Highlights -
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
What did you think of the Sunderland game?
