• Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion, Premier League

Diaby returns to Arsenal matchday squad

ESPN staff
May 4, 2014
A catalogue of problems has kept Abou Diaby from appearing at all for Arsenal this season © PA Photos
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Abou Diaby features on the Arsenal bench after 13 months out having suffered ligament damage towards the end of last season, but Aaron Ramsey misses Sunday's Premier League match against West Brom at the Emirates.

Diaby first sustained the cruciate knee ligament damage last March against Swansea and a number of setbacks in his recovery means he has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2013-14 campaign so far.

Ramsey misses out with a mild thigh strain and is replaced in midfield by Mathieu Flamini.

Arsenal, who have secured fourth place, know a win would prolong faint hopes of overtaking Chelsea in third place, though that chance could be eliminated completely if Jose Mourinho's side beat Norwich City later in the day at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom are also one win away from securing their Premier League safety, though could have that confirmed even if they lose depending on Norwich's result against Chelsea. Pepe Mel makes two changes to the starting XI from that which beat West Ham 1-0 last time out, with Steven Reid missing out due to a groin strain and Diego Lugano replacing Billy Jones in defence.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Arteta, Cazorla, Ozil, Podolski, Giroud.

Substitutes: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Kallstrom, Rosicky, Diaby, Sanogo

West Brom: Foster, Dawson, Lugano, Olsson, Brunt, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Berahino.

Substitutes: Myhill, Anichebe, O'Neil, Sinclair, Vydra, McAuley, Yacob

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