ARSENAL defender Thomas Vermaelen suffered a suspected broken leg during an entertaining goalless draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The Belgian centre-half limped off during the first half, with Sol Campbell coming on in his place. It did not look to be a serious injury, with Vermaelen seemingly coming off as a precaution, but Arsene Wenger will be aggrieved to learn that one of his star players is likely to be out of action for some time, depending on the extent of the injury.

The game would have produced mixed feelings for the Gunners boss, as he also saw Nicklas Bendtner come through almost half an hour unscathed following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a groin injury. Samir Nasri also returned to action in a 20 minute cameo.

Ashley Young came closest to opening the scoring with a free-kick that drifted just wide, while Stewart Downing should have done better when he blasted over from Young’s centre. But it was Arsenal who really should have taken the lead just before the break.

Captain fantastic, Cesc Fabregas, enjoying a rich vein of form, went on a mazey run, beating several players before unleashing a shot across goal that beat Brad Friedel but not the woodwork. The ball fell invitingly for Tomas Rosicky, but Aaron Ramsey got in the Czech midfielder’s way and the chance was gone.

After the interval it was Villa’s turn to waste a golden chance for the lead, Downing again the culprit after he inexplicably headed over at the back post with the goal gaping.

Andrey Arshavin then produced a run similar to that of Fabregas, but this time Friedel was up to the task. The rebound again fell to Rosicky, but his shot cannoned off the underside of the bar and away from danger.