London: Thomas Vermaelen may be available for selection in two weeks, says Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The Belgian is seen by many as the solution to Arsenal's recent defensive problems despite having only played nine competitive games for the Gunners in the last 18 months due to a series of long-term injuries.
Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "He's two weeks away. He is running out on the pitches.
"He looks alright but we have to respect the progression, you still have to give him two to three weeks to be competitive again."
Abou Diaby could also soon be set for a return after his injury, but Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere are still long-term absentees.
Wenger continued: "It is very good news [about Diaby]. He's coming back in full training now so he is 10 days away to be competitive to play. All being well he should be available for the Carling Cup or the game before.
"Basically we have Diaby, Vermaelen, Sagna and Wilshere out – the players who have had surgery - everybody else is available.
"[Sagna] is down of course because when you are used so much to playing every three days and suddenly you are at home without any movement it is very difficult to take. You have to adjust. He is strong mentally so he will get over that."
Wenger is in no rush to include Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain regularly, however, despite admitting that he is "ahead of schedule" with his development and set for a big future.
The 18-year-old has impressed recently, scoring in both of his starts against Shrewsbury Town and Olympiakos in the Champions League, and netted a hat-trick for England's under-21s while playing in a central role.
"He is ahead of schedule, overall I think he has to add some ingredients to his game that will be absolutely necessary at the top but he has the basic talent - nobody can dispute that," Wenger said.
"I am very happy for bringing him here. But of course now we want from him the commitment and the urgency that is requested in the Premier League.
"One second of lacking attention defensively can cost you a game. That has changed in the modern game and that is why he is ahead of schedule. I think in the next few months he can add that to his game."
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been compared to fellow Southampton academy graduate Theo Walcott, who has expressed his desire to move into a central attacking role after establishing himself as a winger, and Wenger has said the younger of the two may have to go through a similar spell.
"Let's not be too quick," he said. "I think he has a fantastic quality of crosses. He can cross it, chip it and personally I don't think he is ready at all yet to play in a central position in the Premier League.
"Let's get him there first on the flank and get him to adjust to this position."
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