Arsene Wenger's Gamble Fails Again as Thomas Vermaelen Is Ruled Out for Season

Today, Arsene Wenger confirmed what many had already expected: Thomas Vermaelen will not play any further part this season.

The centre back injured his Achilles while away on international duty in September and has failed to recover from what Wenger calls “a strange one.”

The setback comes days after Johan Djourou injured his shoulder during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

The double blow will surely have a big impact on Arsenal’s title aspirations for the remainder of the season.

The news may come as a frustrating remainder as to just how stubborn Wenger can be when it comes to reinforcing his squad.

Fans and pundits were crying out for a new centre back to come in during the January transfer window, but Wenger remained adamant the Belgian international would return by March.

The realisation that Arsenal must go into their remaining 10 Premiership games with Laurent Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci as the only senior options at the heart of defence will no doubt be cause for concern.

The two new arrivals at Arsenal have hardly built up a solid understanding, something which was for all to see as they formed the centre back pairing which allowed Newcastle to claw back from a four-goal deficit.

Wenger must surely be praying for luck leading into the final stretch, especially with an international break on the horizon—something in which Arsenal players never fare too well.

More worryingly for Arsenal is that both Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas will miss the important trip to West Brom this weekend.

The hope will be that the pair can use the international break to recover from their injuries and help Arsenal’s push for the title.