Arsene Wenger has admitted he is likely to have to go into the transfer market after being dealt a double injury blow.

Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup draw with Leeds and he is facing a lay-off.

That comes on top of a new setback for Thomas Vermaelen who has not played for Arsenal since the end of August because of a long-running Achilles injury.

Belgian defender Vermaelen resumed some training last week but the pain in his Achilles flared up again and further tests have left Arsenal uncertain when he will play again.

It means that Wenger will now have to dip into the January market with Bolton's Gary Cahill and Werder Bremen stopper Per Mertesacker among his likely targets. Wenger also went for Everton's Phil Jagielka last summer.

The injury to Squillaci leaves Wenger with only Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny as his fit centre halves. Spanish teenager Ignasi Miquel, 18, was on the bench against Leeds after being promoted from the reserves.

It shows how short Arsenal are of defenders after allowing Philippe Senderos, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell to leave last summer while only Koscielny and Squillaci were brought in.

Wenger said: "Squillaci came off with a little hamstring problem and if we only have two centre backs then that cannot work with the number of centre backs we have. If he has a problem then we must quickly go our for a player."

Wenger has been promised money to spend in January and has already insisted if Vermaelen does not make a speedy return then Arsenal will buy.

Cahill is likely to be the favoured option even if Bolton boss Owen Coyle does not want to sell. However, Bolton's move for Middlesbrough's David Wheater could mean that Coyle may be tempted by a big offer.

Arsenal also went for Germany defender Mertesacker last summer and Bremen's exit from the Champions League may mean they may now sell. Everton also knocked back two bids from Arsenal for Jagielka but they may struggle to resist a big offer.

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Trans...l#ixzz1AblJus00
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

Thierry Henry has made a sensational return to Arsenal.

Gunners legend Henry, 33, the club’s record goal scorer, will train with Arsenal for the next fortnight before returning to the US.

Henry took part in his first training session yesterday and has agreed a regular programme of sessions until January 19 to help him stay in shape for the New York Red Bulls.

France World Cup star Henry had offers from Premier League clubs who wanted to sign him on loan for the next few weeks before the start of the MLS season.

But Henry just wanted to train with a club and Arsene Wenger granted his dream wish to go back to his beloved Arsenal.

Henry is also planning to offer some help and advice to Arsenal’s strikers in the next couple of weeks.

Several of Arsenal’s strikers still hold Henry in the highest regard and Theo Walcott has particular admiration for the ex-Gunners captain and has spoken many times of the advice and help he has received in the past.

Wenger allowed Beckham to train with Arsenal in the past and clearly believes older players can offer experience to his young stars.

Henry, who left for Barcelona in 2007, is still passionate about Arsenal and is a regular at the Emirates whenever he has time off from the MLS and is back in England.

But there was never any possibility of Henry going back to Arsenal in a playing capacity but he will be delighted to be training with his old club.

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Thier...l#ixzz1AcTC6ttg