Friday, 26th September, 2014
Arsene Wenger believes he may well be able to find the defensive midfielder fans have been calling for in the shape of Abou Diaby.
The French midfielder has been plagued by injuries in recent years and is only just easing back from his latest injury nightmare.
Wenger, who has continued to keep faith with Diaby, handed the Frenchman 67 minutes against Southampton in the League Cup earlier this week.
He is pleased with the midfielder's progress and believes if he had to sign a player of Diaby's quality again he would not find the task an easy one. And for Wenger, Diaby could be the midfield "solution" needed for the Gunners this term.
"Not at all. Abou Diaby is a natural resource that I have because he’s a top-quality player. If you look to find better quality players than Diaby on the market you will have big problems", Wenger said via his club's site, when asked if he regrets not signing a defensive midfielder.
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"He has not played for one and a half years and I tried to find a solution that suits him and us. What’s happening is that he’s not at his best at the moment because he needs competition.
"He has not got that change of pace and the power in his challenges that are his strengths, but if I can maintain him without any injuries he will come back and it could be a very satisfying solution for him and us."
It remains to be seen if Wenger will include Diaby for this weekend's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
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