Key Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen may have a broken leg after being substituted in the first half of the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The Belgian centre-half, who has been one of the Gunners premier performers in just his first Premier League season, was forced off the pitch in the 35th minute with a suspected broken fibula but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could not confirm what the injury was exactly.

"He is on crutches. It is his fibula. Whether it is just a nerve problem or the bone is broken is what we have to check on," said Wenger.