• League Cup

Wenger gives Diaby another chance

Arsene Wenger will give Abou Diaby yet another chance to resurrect his Arsenal career with the injury-plagued midfielder to make his latest comeback in Tuesday's League Cup tie against Southampton

Diaby is estimated to have suffered a staggering 40 injuries during his eight-year spell at the club but will make his first start in 18 months after Wenger praised the "giant" character that has helped the midfielder return to full fitness once again.

"Diaby played 90 minutes at Villa Park for the under-21s last week," Wenger said. "He was with us at Villa Park again on Saturday and he will play against Southampton on Tuesday.

Abou Diaby is estimated to have suffered 40 injuries during his eight-year Arsenal spell © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Debuchy out for three months, says Wenger
  
• News: I always come out on top, says Ozil
  
• News: Ozil: Welbeck makes things simple
  
• News: Wenger: Henry's a good act for Welbeck to follow
  

"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.''

After signing for Arsenal from Auxerre in January 2006, Diaby suffered a broken ankle in a tackle from Sunderland defender Dan Smith in May of that year and he has suffered a string of injuries since. Most recently, he had surgery for anterior cruciate ligament damage in his left knee, a problem which kept him out for all but the final match of last season.

Now 28, Diaby is one of several players drafted in for the Southampton game by Wenger, who will make full use of his squad ahead of Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham in the Premier League.

The manager confirmed youngsters such as Hector Bellerin - who may also be promoted again for other competitions after Mathieu Debuchy had surgery, Isaac Hayden, Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi would all be given opportunities in the League Cup.

"We still have a team of experienced players and we want to do well in this competition," Wenger 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.''

One player likely to be given a rest, though, is Mesut Ozil, who went some way to silencing his critics with a fine display in the 3-0 Premier League win at Aston Villa, where he scored the first and then quickly set up another for Danny Welbeck.

Wenger, who deployed Ozil in a more central role, was always confident Arsenal's £42.5 million man would return 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.

"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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd