Exclusive: Vermaelen set to miss start of new Premier League season as chronic back injury plagues Arsenal captain



Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen's hopes of forcing his way back into Arsene Wenger's starting XI are being scuppered by a chronic back problem.



The Belgium defender is set to miss the start of the new season after the aggravating the injury on international duty in May.



Vermaelen, who is also carrying a slight thigh problem, has returned to Arsenal's London Colney HQ for pre-season but has not participated in full training.



Fitness threat: Thomas Vermaelen is struggling to be on his feet for the start of the new season

He is receiving treatment on the injury and hopes to resume light training in the next few days.



Vermaelen has complained of back problems in the past and has regular massages and follows a strict stretching plan to ensure the injury does not affect his first-team availability.



The injury comes as a huge blow to the 27-year-old's hopes of reinvigorating his Gunners career after losing his starting place towards the end of last season.

Arsenal begin their pre-season tour of the Far East on Saturday with a clash against an Indonesia XI.



But Vermaelen may not even travel with his team-mates this week, with club medics keen on the central defender staying in England to continue his rehabilitation.

Pain again: Vermaelen has been troubled by persistent problems with his back

Training day: Vermaelen was unable to join his team-mates, including Aaron Ramsey, for pre-season drills