Defensive frailties to continue.

It is a massive blow for all Gooners to hear that Vermaelen will be out of action until the new year. I, like everyone else was hoping he would be back at this crucial time of year to add some much needed quality to our defence.

Vermaelen is, in my opinion, our best centre half, and one of the best defenders in the Prem. His absence has been felt this season, and we need him back in our starting XI pretty sharpish. Squillaci is decent enough, Koscielny is ok, and Djourou is ok! But we need class, and Vermaelen is class.

I still don't think that this will force Wenger's hand in the transfer market, but if we lose another player to injury then he will have to. It is brave of Wenger to say that he doesn't need to add to the squad, he has faith in what we have, but we need to be realistic.