Arsenal suffer Vermaelen blow

Arsenal’s derby defeat by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur has been compounded by an injury suffered by Thomas Vermaelen that threatens to rule the defender out of the rest of the season.

Vermaelen lasted just 19 minutes during the 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, that all but scuppered Arsenal’s English Premier League title hopes, before going off with a calf injury.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told the Arsenal website, www.arsenal.com, on Thursday: “Certainly it is a calf strain. (He will be out for) two to three weeks…That means the season is over for him.”

Brazil star Denilson is doubtful for Sunday’s match away to Wigan with a groin problem but Wenger was more upbeat about Dutch striker Robin van Persie, who returned against Tottenham after five months out with torn ankle ligaments.

“He came back very well,” the Frenchman added. “We have to check him today (Thursday) and we see how he responds to that. It was a massive gamble as he had not played.

“But we’ll see how he is and hopefully he’ll get a few games now.”

Defeat by Spurs left third-placed Arsenal six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with four games to play.