LONDON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal center back Thomas Vermaelen will not be back until the New Year due to an Achilles problem, announced the Premier League club on Monday.

Vermaelen, 25, picked up an Achilles injury in Belguium's Euro 2012 qualifier in Turkey on September 7 and has not played since then.

"Vermaelen is in a (protective) boot," said manager Arsene Wenger. "We want him back and I hope he will be back soon, but not before January."

Vermaelen made 33 Premier League appearances last season and scored seven times for the Gunners.