Arsenal To Wait On Vermaelen

[Defender]

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will  undergo tests on Wednesday after coming off with a calf problem towards the end of the Carling Cup victory over Bolton.

Vermaelen made his long-awaited return from an Achilles injury by starting in the 2-1 fourth round win, playing 84 minutes at the Emirates before being replaced by debutant Daniel Boateng. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed Vermaelen requested to be taken off after a feeling problem in his calf, but is confident the Belgian has not sustained any real damage.

"He did very well but he had to come off for a calf problem," Wenger said. "I hope it is not too bad. He will be a bit short for Saturday [against Chelsea in the Premier League]. I do not know yet what has happened.

"We will have to test him tomorrow [Wednesday] but it did not look too bad. He has been out for a long time and only had one training session yesterday with the team.

"I didn't expect a game of that intensity because it was a really tough game for a centre-back tonight as they put us under pressure in the second half. I don't think it is a calf strain, I think it is just a tight calf because he has not played 90 minutes for three months.

"He wanted to come off. In fairness, I did not want to take him off because I thought it was stupid with four minutes to go in case we conceded a goal. He was adamant he could not go on so I hope it is not too bad."

Osun Defender