Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will give injury-prone Abou Diaby the chance to prove he is worth offering a new contract

Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether to offer Abou Diaby a new contract but has hinted that the injury-prone midfielder could have a future at Arsenal beyond this summer.

Diaby made his latest comeback from injury in a practice game on Wednesday but has made just 22 appearances in the last five seasons at the Emirates Stadium with extended spells on the sidelines.

Arsenal face Liverpool in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off and while Wenger is unlikely to throw Diaby straight into a vital game in both clubs' seasons, he did suggest the French midfielder could earn a new deal, potentially on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether to offer Abou Diaby a new contract despite his injury troubles

Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether to offer Abou Diaby a new contract despite his injury troubles

Diaby made his latest comeback from injury in a practice game on Wednesday and could have a future

Diaby made his latest comeback from injury in a practice game on Wednesday and could have a future

Wenger said he has made it clear how he envisages the future for Diaby at the north London club

Wenger said he has made it clear how he envisages the future for Diaby at the north London club

Diaby has featured just once this season, playing for 67 minutes in the Capital One Cup defeat by Southampton in September but could get his chance in the Barclays Premier League run-in. 


'I had a chat with him (Diaby) and told him how I can envisage the future,' Wenger said. 'He has to make a decision.

'Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present on a consistent way. I will see where we go from there.

Diaby has suffered 42 injuries during his Arsenal career, keeping him out of action for a total of 226 weeks

Diaby has suffered 42 injuries during his Arsenal career, keeping him out of action for a total of 226 weeks

Wenger also hopes to find a positive solution to tie Tomas Rosicky down to a contract extension at Arsenal

Wenger also hopes to find a positive solution to tie Tomas Rosicky down to a contract extension at Arsenal

Club captain Mikel Arteta (right) has also been out with injury and is another to secure to a contract extension

Club captain Mikel Arteta (right) has also been out with injury and is another to secure to a contract extension

'I wouldn't like to go into details, we have to meet again to see where we go from what I told him. It has to be linked a little bit with his presence.'

Wenger also indicated he hoped to secure contract extensions for club captain Mikel Arteta and long-serving midfielder Tomas Rosicky. 

EVERY DIABY INJURY DURING HIS ARSENAL CAREER 

2014 

Calf Muscle Strain, November 24

Calf/Shin, October 14

Hip/Thigh, July 26

Groin/Pelvis, April 22

2013

ACL Knee, March 27

Calf/Shin, February 23

Illness, January 22

2012 

Thigh Muscle Strain, September 29

Muscle, September 7

Calf Muscle Strain, April 28

Illness, April 23

Hamstring, March 29

Hamstring, March 3

2011 

Hamstring, November 26

Ankle/Foot, July 22

Calf Muscle Strain, January 2

2010 

Calf Muscle Strain, December 30

Ankle/Foot, October 19

Ankle/Foot, October 4

Ankle/Foot, September 13

Calf Muscle Strain, August 11

Calf Muscle Strain, March 27

MCL Knee Ligament, February 17

Calf Muscle Strain, January 20

2009 

Calf Muscle Strain, November 7

Ankle/Foot, October 10

Groin Strain, August 12

Knee, July 27

Thigh Muscle Strain, April 1

Calf Muscle Strain, February 24

Thigh Muscle Strain, January 31

2008 

Abdominal Strain, November 22

Thigh Muscle Strain, August 3

Thigh Muscle Strain, April 25

Calf Muscle Strain, March 7

Calf Muscle Strain, February 8

2007 

Back, November 22

Sprained Ankle, August 14

Concussion, April 20

Sprained Ankle, February 25

Knee, February 2

2006 

Ankle/Foot Injury, May 1

42 INJURIES (ONE EVERY 79.5 DAYS) 

calf muscle 11, ankle/foot 6, thigh muscle 5, hamstring 3, sprained ankle 2, illness 2, calf/shin 2, knee 2, hip/thigh 1, groin/pelvis 1, acl knee 1, muscle injury 1, mcl knee ligament 1, groin strain 1, abdominal strain 1, back injury 1, concussion 1.