Vermaelen picked up an injury to his left ankle in the Gunners’ Champions League qualifier against Udinese, and did not play any part in the club’s 8-2 capitulation at Old Trafford against Manchester United as a result.

Vermaelen’s father said his son flew to Sweden to have surgery on the problem on Monday. He told Sporza: “The doctor in Stockholm, where Thomas was operated on last time too, recognised the problem now. He would not take any chances and immediately operated on Thomas. He expects five to six weeks of unavailability.”

A statement on the Arsenal official website later confirmed: “Centre back Thomas Vermaelen is expected to be back in training with the first-team squad in around a month. Vermaelen has undergone a minor procedure to remove an inflamed plantaris tendon from his left ankle.

“This is the same treatment that he had on his right ankle in January this year and has nothing to do with his Achilles tendon. The action was taken after consultation with specialists who advised this was the best thing to do to prevent it becoming a persistent problem.”

The news will come as a blow to Arsene Wenger, who has recently lost Jack Wilshere for up to three months with an ankle problem, while fellow central defender Laurent Koscielny was taken from the field during Arsenal’s home loss to Liverpool.

Greater responsibility, and pressure, will subsequently fall on Arsenal’s new recruits in Vermaelen’s absence, with the likes of Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young and Per Mertesacker all making the move to the Emirates shortly before the close of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal will host Swansea on Saturday as they aim to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

Sneijder has admitted that he was in contact with Premier League champions United during the summer transfer window but a move never materialised and the 27-year-old revealed his former manager played a big part in the decision.

“Mourinho called me and he told me to stay. He has an Inter heart and he has always told me to remain,” Sneijder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am happy to have stayed because I never wanted to leave and so I no longer want to speak about Manchester United.”

Sneijder had long been linked with a move to Old Trafford but when team-mate Samuel Eto’o was sold to Anzhi Makhachkala it was always unlikely that Inter would allow another star name leave the club.

“My agent called me and told me Inter wanted to sell. I spoke with Manchester United, but then the Eto’o sale started and so things changed,” the Holland international explained.

Despite Sneijder’s claims that he is happy at Inter the UK press have been full of reports that a move to Old Trafford could be back on in January.

The Sunday Mirror claims it was Sneijder’s demands that scuppered a £30 million summer switch but the player has told ‘people close to him’ that a move to United could be resurrected in January.

A source told the newspaper: “Wesley wanted to go to United and was in negotiations until quite late. They couldn’t agree terms but he is still saying he will end up at United.”

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly very keen on the Inter midfielder and even though it looked as though the player’s high wage demands would scupper any possible deal, the Scott could still launch a final assault on the Dutch international.

Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen has hinted at a possible deal.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has tremendous confidence in our current squad, but a player the calibre of Wesley Sneijder could well suit us,” Meulensteen told Dutch newspaper Voetbal International.

“Where there is a will, there’s always a way. If club and player really want it, there is always something possible.

“I do not see why an older player like Sneijder would not fit into our team.”

Tevez has never hidden his desire to leave the club as he wished to be closer to his family in Argentina.

Brazilian side Corinthians made an offer for the player earlier this summer, though after the move broke down Tevez was forced to return to Manchester.

“His family is here now. Now that his family is here I think that he can stay,” Mancini said.

“I think this is a good moment for this club. Carlos is one of the best players that we have.”

The Italian believes new signings Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri, who completed his move from Arsenal earlier this week, may convince Tevez to stay.

He added: “He is not fit, he has only worked for two weeks.”

“But I think with the good players that arrive in this team – after we won the FA Cup last year – they can try to think next year we can win the title.”

“I think Carlos can play also next year.”

Just three minutes later, the Argentine found himself at the center of attention yet again after he spectacularly kept the ball in play and found David Silva who netted home from close range, putting City up 3-0 on Premier League newcomers Swansea City. Just when Swansea City thought their second half nightmare was over, Aguero scored a cracking goal from some 25 yards out, putting Manchester City at the top of the English Premier League table alongside Bolton Wanderers.

But is one performance really enough to make Aguero City’s number one option at striker? Prior to last season I would have said no, but after last season, I cannot resist jumping on Aguero’s bandwagon following his remarkable debut.

We all know the tale of Fernando Torres’ first year at Chelsea, but as a proclaimed United supporter, I cannot resist telling it again. Basically the story starts as follows.

Once upon a time, Fernando Torres made a 50 million pound move from Liverpool to Chelsea. After bagging nine goals in 25 appearances for the Merseysiders, Torres suffered a huge dip in form after his move to West London. In 18 games for the Blues, the former Atletico Madrid hitman managed just a single goal. Albeit, he did have two assists, but no one pays centre-forwards for having more assists than goals.

Džeko joined Manchester City last season and though he did not enjoy tremendous success right away, he was far more effective than Torres. Džeko scored six times in all competitions for City in 2010-11 (21 appearances). The Bosnian has gotten off to a hot start this season, netting in each of City’s first two matches. A partnership between Aguero and Dzeko will surely be on Mancini’s radar after their tremendous performances versus Swansea City in just 30 minutes together. Dzeko is keen on a potential partnership with the Argentine international:

“It’s amazing for a new player to come on for the last 30 minutes and score two goals. I am very happy for him, but I am also happy for City in getting a player like him – he can only help us in the future.”

“And he is not even 100% fit yet. In the next games he can only get better and better. He scored twice when not fit, so we can’t wait to see what he is like at 100%.”

“Every good player is welcome to our team as we want to win titles.”

“The beginnings have always been slow for me, and that was the case at City, but this year I feel fit and I feel very good. I feel much better than last season.”

“For every player it is important to be fit and have a good pre-season behind him. This summer I have done everything with the team and that makes you feel better.”

“I want to improve in every game, but I have started the season well. I try to do my best in every game to help the team.”

Liverpool said on their website that the deal would be subject to a medical, but a Milan statement read: “After undergoing his medical this morning, Alberto Aquilani arrived at the training centre at 13.20.”

Aquilani, 27, joined Liverpool from Roma in 2009 as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but he struggled with injuries during his debut season and was then allowed to spend the 2010-11 campaign on loan at Juventus.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish had earlier suggested that he would be happy to include Aquilani in his plans but, with a high number of midfielders at his disposal, the Italian has been allowed to depart.

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli told the club’s official website: “I want to pay tribute to the way Alberto has conducted himself during these discussions. Throughout the entire process, his only desire has been to play football and he has put this ahead of any other considerations and at personal cost to himself. We wish him well for the season ahead.”