MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 19:59:38| >> :120:6122:6122:
General view of the Emirates

Arsenal

Thomas Vermaelen return delayed by back injury

By , Reporter
Vermaelen return delayed by back injury
© PA Photos
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out of the club's pre-season tour of Asia with a persistent back injury.

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has been forced to delay his return to pre-season training by a persistent back problem.

Vermaelen aggravated the recurring injury in his lower back while on international duty with Belgium last month, with massage treatment also required on a related thigh strain.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has now been forced to rule the defender out of Thursday's travelling squad for their pre-season tour of Asia with a suspected cracked bone in his lower back, according to The Mirror.

The 27-year-old endured a frustrating end to last season, with Wenger preferring the central defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker for the final 10 Premier League matches.

ID:92626: cacheID:92626:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1385:
Written by
Liam Power 
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in action against Blackburn on February 16, 2013
Read Next:
Bayern renew Koscielny interest
>
Read more about Thomas Vermaelen Arsene Wenger Per Mertesacker Laurent Koscielny Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
> View full version> Yesterday's results
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489
> Premier League Full Table


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!