Diaby out for up to nine months
Thursday, March 28, 2013
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Arsenal FC midfielder Abou Diaby is set to miss the rest of France's FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign after being laid off for up to nine months with a cruciate ligament tear.
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Arsenal FC and France midfielder Abou Diaby is expected to be out of action for nine months after sustaining ligament damage in his left knee.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury in training with the north London club on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the Gunners' season as well as the rest of France's FIFA World Cup qualifying Group I campaign, which concludes on 15 October against Finland.
"Scans have confirmed [Diaby] has torn his anterior cruciate ligament," read a statement from Arsenal. "Following consultations with specialists, Abou will undergo surgery to repair the injury in the near future. Abou is expected to be out for around eight to nine months."
The former AJ Auxerre man has struggled for fitness all term. He has made just one World Cup qualifying appearance, scoring Les Bleus' winner in Finland in September, and recently returned from a calf problem for his 11th Premier League outing of the season in Arsenal's victory at Swansea City AFC on 16 March.
Fifth in the Premier League, Arsène Wenger's men host Reading FC on Saturday as they bid to qualify for the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.