Arsenal crock Vermaelen picks up calf injury

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen continues his bad spell of luck with injury, after being taken off in the 84th minute during yesterday's 2-1 win over Bolton in the Carling Cup.

Vermaelen has suffered calf and achilles injuries in recent months, and looks set to miss the Gunners' crucial match with Chelsea this weekend.

Arsene Wenger admits he is not yet sure why the player has picked up this new injury.

Wenger revealed: "He did very well but he had to come off for a calf problem. 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."