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Wenger Confirms Midfielder Will Make Shock Injury Return vs Everton
Arsene Wenger has been quoted as saying that forgotten midfielder Abou Diaby will START against Everton on Sunday.
The Frenchman has been on the sidelines for over a year after suffering a serious knee injury in training last March, but he’s worked hard to get back on his feet and returned to training with the rest of the squad this week.
Many were expecting Diaby to take several weeks to regain full fitness before he’d even be considered for first team duties. However, Arsene has been quoted by French newspaper L’Equipe as saying the 27-year-old will feature in our vital clash with Everton on Sunday:
“Diaby will return to the team this weekend, yes, he has a tremendous spirit and has fought with courage to return as an Arsenal player. He is like a new signing.”
“He has been out for a long time, but will start the game, to win this game is crucial and would mean we can stop looking over our shoulders and begin again looking forward”
“I am unsure as yet who he will replace, but expect to see him start, he is a top player at the club and an important one for us.’
“Abou plays really intricate & laudable football, objectively & overall [he is] like [a new] signing.” Wenger said.
This has to be some sort of late April fools joke, surely?! Unless he’s been doing some secret training and playing in behind closed door friendlies that no-one knows about over the past few weeks, Diaby can’t be anywhere near fit enough to start a Premier League game.
While it would be great to have him back, particularly with our injury problems in midfield, I would take these quotes with a pinch of salt. I really don’t see how Diaby could feature so soon after returning to training, but I suppose we’ll find out this weekend.
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