Arsenal Under-21 manager Steve Gatting has lavished praise on the performances of Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere during his side’s match against Reading on Monday.

Diaby and Wilshere are recovering from long-term injuries and in an attempt to assess their first team preparedness, the duo played against Reading in an Under-21 Premier League Division 2 clash which the Gunners lost 1-0.




The north Londoners are currently occupying the fourth spot in the table and Gatting although disappointed by the result, was enthused by the performance of his charges.

“The result was disappointing and the performance was okay”, he was quoted as saying by his club’s site.
 


Diaby has been a long term injury absentee for the Gunners and the Frenchman started his second game in succession after playing in Arsenal Under-21s' 4-1 win against Stoke City last week.

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Gatting chose Wilshere for special praise, insisting that the Englishman was the best player on the pitch.

The 23-year-old suffered an ankle injury in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in November last year and he is nearing a first team return.

“We came out with some good positives”, Gatting added.

“Abou Diaby was excellent in the time he was on the pitch and Jack Wilshere was outstanding – the best player on the pitch by far.”

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