Wenger fears Vermaelen blow

Defender to have X-ray in morning after leaving Villa on crutches

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 28th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger fears Vermaelen blow

Wenger: Vermaelen worry

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thomas Vermaelen may have broken his leg in Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

The Gunners missed the chance to join Chelsea at the top of the table on 51 points after a goalless draw at Villa Park.

Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky both struck the woodwork either side of half-time after Sol Campbell came off the bench to replace the injured Vermaelen, who left the ground on crutches.

Wenger, who said he was pleased that his side kept a clean sheet despite falling off the pace at the summit, revealed Vermaelen will have an X-ray on a suspected leg fracture from an innocuous injury picked up during the first half.

"Overall defensively we were solid but we lacked an offensive spark in our play today," Wenger, who also lost forward Eduardo to injury in the second half, told Sky Sports.

"I'm pleased we didn't (concede), I think in the second half they had just one header, apart from that they didn't create anything."

Injury blow

The centre-back partnership of Vermaelen and William Gallas has been a bedrock for Arsenal's rise to title contenders this season and the defensive blow could not come at a worse time for the Gunners who play Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in their next three league games.

And Wenger admits all he can do is wait for Thursday's scans to reveal the extent of the damage to the Belgian centre-back's leg.

"We will have to check the X-ray tomorrow morning because there is a fear - it's a nerve that is numb or it is fracture of his fibula - we hope not but we will have to check."

Vermaelen seems destined to be out for Sunday's home clash against the Red Devils meaning Campbell could be in line for his first Premier League start for the club since rejoining earlier this month.