Vermaelen out for a month after ankle op

THOMAS VERMAELEN has undergone surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be out for at least a month, Arsenal confirmed yesterday.

Vermaelen underwent the surgery on Monday in Stockholm after suffering the injury in the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Udinese on August 24.

The Belgium defender, who missed eight months of last season with an Achilles injury on his right foot, will miss Premier League games against Swansea, Blackburn, Bolton and Tottenham as well as the club’s first two Champions League group stage matches.

While losing Vermaelen for such crucial games is a blow for the Gunners, manager Arsene Wenger will be pleased that his star defender is not out for longer.

Some reports on Monday night suggested Vermaelen would be out for two months, but the club played down that speculation yesterday.

An Arsenal statement read: “Thomas Vermaelen is expected to be back in training with the first-team squad in around a month. Vermaelen has undergone a minor procedure to remove an inflamed plantaris tendon from his left ankle.

“This is the same treatment that he had on his right ankle in January this year and has nothing to do with his Achilles tendon.

“The action was taken after consultation with specialists who advised this was the best thing to do to prevent it becoming a persistent problem.”

Meanwhile Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has turned his back on England and will play international football for Ghana, according to Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Frimpong was born in the Ghanaian capital Accra but moved to north London at the age of 14 and has gone on to represent England at U16 and U17 level since joining the Gunners.

Nyantakyi revealed he met with Frimpong in a London hotel and the Gunners player confirmed his intention to represent Ghana.

“He will play for Ghana,” Nyantakyi said. “We had a meeting last night and he wants to play for Ghana.’’