French midfielder has only feature once for the Gunners this season.
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Despite making just two appearances in two seasons, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that injury prone midfielder Abou Diaby will be offered a new contract if he can prove his fitness.
The French midfielder has had to contend with numerous injury problems over the last eight years following a horror tackle by Sunderland’s Dan Smith in May 2006 that left him with a fractured ankle.
He was expected to leave the Gunners at the end of this season when his current deal expires following a series of knee ligament injuries that have kept him out of action for long periods of the last three seasons.
However, Arsene Wenger revealed in his pre-Stoke City press conference that Diaby can have a future at Arsenal if he proves his fitness.
“Diaby is on the fringe of coming back into full training but he is not there yet, he has a calf problem,” said the Arsenal manager.
“His injuries are never severe but little grade one tears. He is not available yet. If Diaby is fully fit, he will have a new deal at Arsenal.”
Arsenal, however, face a more pressing injury crisis ahead of this weekend’s game against Stoke at the Britannia stadium.
Left back Nacho Monreal has been confirmed as out and defenders Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs will need late fitness tests to determine their involvement.