Arsenal's Vermaelen undergoes ankle surgery

Arsenal will be without defender Thomas Vermaelen for their first two Champions League games after he underwent minor surgery on his ankle.

The Premier League club said the Belgian was expected to return to first-team training in around a month, likely ruling him out of Champions League Group F matches at Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday and at home to Olympiakos on Sept. 28.

The centre back is also set to miss league games against Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, as well as north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Oct. 2.

“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.”

Vermaelen missed nearly eight months of last season with an Achilles problem.

The injury is another blow to Arsene Wenger’s side, who have endured a miserable start to the season with poor results, several injuries and suspensions and the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.