• Premier League

Diaby injury blow for Arsenal

ESPN staff
March 28, 2013
Abou Diaby is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines © PA Photos
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Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out for up to nine months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Diaby, who signed for Arsenal from Auxerre for around £2 million in 2006, has been plagued by injuries during his career, and in the current campaign he has started just ten Premier League games for the club.

The Frenchman played 71 minutes of the Gunners' 2-0 win at Swansea but was not involved for his country during the international break.

And, ahead of this weekend's home match against Reading, it has been confirmed Diaby, 26, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, which will come as a blow to the side's top-four ambitions.

A statement on Arsenal's official website read: "The club can confirm that Abou Diaby injured his left knee in training on Wednesday and subsequent scans have confirmed that he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

"Following consultations with specialists, Abou will undergo surgery to repair the injury in the near future. Abou is expected to be out for around eight to nine months.

"The thoughts and best wishes from everyone at Arsenal are with Abou, and we all wish him a successful recovery."

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