Star Gunners defender on the mend

(22-10-2010) Arsene Wenger is hoping tough defender Thomas Vermaelen will be back in an Arsenal jersey within the next three weeks. The Belgian international has been sidelined since picking up an Achilles injury on international duty six weeks ago. The 24-year-old has missed the Gunners last nine games. "Vermaelen will still need two or three weeks," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. "His injury is not a long-term concern, but at the start we thought it was a question of days and now it is six weeks.” He added: "You can't say it is not a concern at all. We are a bit concerned, but he has had a final treatment that we think could kill it." Better news for the club was that full-back Bacary Sagna (thigh) will return to the squad for Sunday's game at Manchester City.