Thomas Vermaelen has Achilles operation

ARSENAL were hit by a fresh injury blow after Thomas Vermaelen underwent an Achilles op in Sweden.

The Belgian international defender, who missed virtually all of last term with a similar injury, will be out for at least a month.

The news came 24 hours after England midfielder Jack Wilshere revealed he could be out for two months with an ankle problem.

Vermaelen, 25, picked up the injury in the Gunners' win at Udinese in the Champions League two weeks ago and missed the crushing 8-2 loss at Manchester United.

The centre-back pulled out of the Belgium squad and medics told him to rest before deciding if he needed surgery.

Yet Vermaelen yesterday had surgery in Stockholm in the hope of avoiding a long-term nightmare like last season.

His absence is another huge blow for boss Arsene Wenger, whose side host Swansea on Saturday still chasing a first Premier League win this term.