Arsene Points Finger Over Diaby Injury

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has pointed an accusatory finger at France manager Didier Deschamps as midfielder Abou Diaby faces yet another spell on the sidelines. 26 year old Diaby has endured 6 years of persistent injuries and again hobbled off against Chelsea on Saturday with a thugh strain that will keep him out for three weeks.

Wenger thinks the latest ailment has its roots in his international call up in September. 'I said many times that if France wanted Diaby in Spain (for the World Cup qualifier on October 16) they should not take him for (the qualifiers against) Finland and Belarus,' he said.

'They could have taken him but not played him because the guy has been out for a year, played four or five games.

'You have a breather, give him two weeks to recover completely. I think it was a mistake to play him with the French national team.'

With Arteta a doubt for tonight's game against Olympiacos, the Arsenal manager concedes he will have to tinker with the balance of his midfield, 'It is as well an opportunity for somebody else to stand up and play but it is a blow, yes,' he said.

'Not only because we lost a good player but because he has qualities that the other players haven't got.

'For example, on Saturday when he moved out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in, takes his position straight away and loses the ball on set-pieces. This is a ball Diaby would have won easily because he has the size.

'We have better balance size-wise and strength as well because he has the power.

'It is really frustrating because once you think you get there it (an injury) happens again.'

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