Thomas Vermaelen has emerged as a doubt for Arsenal's visit to Manchester United on Sunday, further deepening Arsène Wenger's selection crisis.

The Frenchman, who is hopeful of driving through the £22m capture of the holding midfielder Yann M'Vila from Rennes, albeit not in time for the weekend, has major problems in midfield, where he has lost Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively. Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby will miss the trip to Old Trafford through injury while Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong are suspended, as is the winger Gervinho.

This has left Wenger to consider using the centre-half Johan Djourou as a holding midfielder, alongside Aaron Ramsey, with Tomas Rosicky - the only other available, established midfielder - further forward in the No10 role. Djourou started his career in midfield.

But if Vermaelen fails a fitness test, then Djourou would be needed in central defence, where the out-of-favour Sébastien Squillaci is carrying a calf problem and Laurent Koscielny hopes to return from a back spasm. Wenger also has a doubt over the left-back Kieran Gibbs. Vermaelen took a kick to the ankle in Wednesday's Champions League play-off win over Udinese and he also felt his thigh tighten towards the end of the game.

Wenger wants to sign M'Vila, which would allow him to push Wilshere into the No10 role and Arsenal believe that their offer of £22m will be enough to convince Rennes to sell, despite denials from the French club.

Wenger also wants to conclude a deal for a central defender and will look again at Everton's Phil Jagielka and Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill.