Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has not broken leg

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen leaves the pitch with physio Colin Lewin
Vermaelen leaves the field in some discomfort after injuring his right leg

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has not fractured his leg but is doubtful for Sunday's Premier League match against Manchester United.

The 24-year-old Belgium international limped off after 35 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and was replaced by Sol Campbell.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had feared the worst for his key defender but X-ray scans showed there was no break.

"There is still a good chance he will not play on Sunday," said Wenger.

Eduardo will definitely be sidelined against the champions after suffering a hamstring injury at Villa Park but should be available for the away fixture at Chelsea seven days later.

"There is no fracture in Thomas's leg but his injury still has to be assessed," Wenger told the Arsenal website.

"Eduardo has a small, small, small hamstring problem. He will be out for one week. He will not make Man United but he might make Chelsea."

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Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are likely to feature against United after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast and Cameroon, respectively.

"Eboue and Song have been in this morning [Thursday]. Eboue has been running outside," added Wenger.

"They are both in good shape, tired but in good shape. Both of them are available for Sunday."

Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax last summer and has started all 23 of their Premier League games this season.

He has scored six goals in all competitions and formed an impressive centre-half partnership alongside William Gallas.