Squillaci set for Arsenal debut
Reuters - Friday 10 September 2010, 15:12
LONDON - Frenchman Sebastien Squillaci is
set to make his Arsenal debut against Bolton Wanderers on
Saturday after Thomas Vermaelen returned from international duty
with an Achilles tendon injury.
Vermaelen was injured captaining Belgium in a defeat to
Turkey. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website
the problem was short term.
GEAR: Arsenal home and away shirts available here with a 10% discount just for you
Centre-back Squillaci, 30, joined Arsenal on a three-year
deal from Spanish club Sevilla last month and played for the
north London club's reserves this week.
"He will play tomorrow," Wenger said. "I know Sebastien very
well and the target was to give him 90 minutes for the reserves
just to get his positional play back.
"He is experienced and it is good he can compensate the
absence of Vermaelen tomorrow."
Wenger said Vermaelen had a chance to return for the
Champions League home game against Braga on Wednesday.
Injuries are already stacking up for Arsenal with Theo
Walcott out for six weeks with an ankle injury sustained while
playing for England in Switzerland on Tuesday.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are also
sidelined but Samir Nasri, who has undergone knee surgery, is in
the squad to face Bolton.
Interact: Twitter * Facebook * Forums