Arsenal climbed to the top of the Premier League this past weekend thanks to two brilliant goals from Samir Nasri at home to Fulham. With the three points, the Gunners jumped ahead of idle Manchester United who saw their trip to Blackpool postponed due to extreme weather conditions. The win was another statement to the rest of the league that Arsenal are serious title contenders as they were able to overcome a determined Fulham side at home.
Title Challengers Arsenal To Be Without Thomas Vermaelen Until 2011
Now to the bad news.
Arsenal's Belgium international and once starting center back Thomas Vermaelen will continue to be sidelined until January (at least) while he nurses an Achilles injury first suffered on international duty in September. While Vermaelen's injury was once thought of to be a minor one and provided hope that the defender would make a quick recovery, his potential return in the new year will mark four months away from first team action.
Arsenal, now top of the league, have tricky fixtures approaching in league play as they travel to Manchester United next Monday and host Chelsea towards the end of December. Frenchman Sebastien Squillaci will continue to deputize in the heart of defense for Arsenal as Vermaelen remains unavailable.
Vermaelen announced his arrival to the Premier League last year quite emphatically by scoring seven league goals as a defender and turning in a number of man of the match performances as a Gunner. He was easily one of Arsenal’s best players and manager Arsene Wenger will look to have his prized defender back as soon as possible as Arsenal are still competing on all four fronts - Premier League, Carling Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
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