Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that his injury prone midfielder Abou Diaby will feature in their Capital one cup game against Southampton tonight.
Diaby is one of many reserve team players that will be drafted in by Wenger, who will also have his mind on this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham.
The 28 year old has had a string of injuries since joining Arsenal eight seasons ago, he suffered a broken ankle against Sunderland in May 2006 and, most recently, surgery following anterior cruciate ligament damage in his left knee which side-lined him for all but the final match of last season.
Wenger still believes that Diaby can still compete at the highest level even though he hasn’t started a Premier League game since March 2013 away at Swansea.
‘He is a giant, mentally. To do what he has done, with the severe injuries he had, he comes back every time, is dedicated and he deserves a lot of respect.’
‘I am a huge believer in his quality and I am sad as well that he couldn’t show it more.
‘If there is some justice, the future will be much better for him.’
He also confirmed said that youngsters such has Hector Bellerin, Isaac Hayden, Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi will all be given a first-team opportunity in the Capital One Cup.
‘We still have a team of experienced players, and we want to do well in this competition,’ he said.
‘I believe this is an opportunity to give a game to players who need it and we go into a period where we play, and play, and play, and we want to continue to win our games.’
It is unlikely that the German star Mesut Ozil will feature but Wenger admits that he always knew his player would bounce back to form.
‘People forget that he played the World Cup and only came back on August 11 and it takes some time to come back mentally and physically to your best,’ Wenger said.
‘The game at Dortmund (in the Champions League) can happen to anybody. We had a tough, tough game against Man City on the Saturday, and Tuesday was very short preparation time.
‘Everything is analysed today, you had Ozil, you had Yaya Toure, and straight away everyone questions them. But both of them showed on Saturday and Sunday that they are great players.’
Wenger added: ‘I believe as well it is a fact that confidence is a vital factor for everybody, but also the drive you bring into the game.
‘If a ball comes out quickly and well from the back, he is always the one who can deliver a quality pass. His quality depends on how well we feed from the back.’