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.