Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to add a new center-back to the Gunners' short-handed defending line, local media reported on Tuesday.

Arsenal's Belgian central defender Vermaelen suffered an Achilles injury and was never able to play for the Gunners since Aug. 28.

French centre-back Sebastien Squillaci was also ruled out for about three weeks after picking up a hamstring strain in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leeds United in the FA Cup.

"Squillaci will be out for a maximum of three weeks, minimum two," said Wenger."It is a hamstring injury but it is not too bad - a grade one. He will be back in two weeks if all goes well."

"Vermaelen had another setback on Saturday that we are concerned with...I can't give you any precise date, but I concede that, with this little setback from Thomas, we are in a situation where we will have to look around," Wenger added.

Wenger now only has Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou available to play centre-back, he admitted that he is likely to sign a new center-back during the January transfer window.