Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is planning a new role for midfielder Abou Diaby, who appeared in the League Cup clash against Southampton this week, as reported by the Daily Star.
Wenger is now planning to turn the injury prone Frenchman into a defensive midfielder, hopefully plugging a hole in his Arsenal squad at the same time.
Diaby, who is 28 years old, has been hit by a stunning 40 injuries in the last eight years.
Wenger, however, has refused to stop believing that his unfortunate dynamo might hit a consistent period of fitness in the future.
In order to achieve that, however, Wenger feels as though Diaby needs to play in a different position to his preferred advanced midfield role.
Wenger said: “I try to transform him because he was injured and has the physical potential to win the challenges.
“To face the game will be easier for him than to play back to goal with the injuries he had.
“I try to develop him in a deeper role. I think he can do it, he can be very interesting, has all the attributes,
“He must love it as well because he’s more of an offensive minded player.”
Wenger has also praised Diaby’s mental strength for coming back from injury time and time again.
The game against Southampton saw him complete 67 minutes, before being substituted after tiring as the game went on.
“He had 90 minutes at Villa for the under-21s last week, played 60 minutes tonight, was not bad, was acceptable as a performance, but he tired after an hour.”
