Just as I wrote yesterday evening, the fact that Abou Diaby was on the list of Arsenal’s released players yesterday it does not mean that he will be leaving the club. This has now been confirmed by a journalist working for L’Equipe.
The correspondent Bruno Constant has announced that the midfielder is still talking to Arsenal about a potential new deal to stay.
He tweeted: #Diaby hasn’t been released by #Arsenal. Out of contract. But verbal agreement with the club. Talks ongoing for a new contract.
He goes on to say that the parties are still thrashing out a pay-per-play deal and he is very likely to sign a new contract, although WHEN he will be fit enough to play is not clear…..
On the other hand, The Mail is reporting that Diaby is still allowed to use the Arsenal training facilities to prove his fitness, but they think it is only to be while he looks for another club to take him.
I honestly cannot see ANY other club willing to give him a contract unless it would be the same as proposed by Wenger i.e. Pay-as-you-play – so it would only make sense for him to sign for Arsenal, as Wenger has been extremely loyal to him ever since he got his first injury, which Wenger described as: “He was the victim of an assassin’s tackle that went unpunished.”
Should Arsenal give Diaby even more time to prove his fitness or give up completely?