Wenger: Diaby closing on Arsenal return

LONDON - Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is close to a return from a 13-month injury lay-off after playing for the club's under-21 side, manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Wednesday.

"He hasn't played for a year, but physically he is ready to play, completely," Wenger told the club website.

"It is now just decision-making, getting used to challenges again. Everybody (counted him out), but he is fit and ready."

Diaby, whose Arsenal career has been blighted by injuries, has not played for the first team since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in a Premier League game against Swansea City in March last year.

The 27-year-old France international completed 45 minutes of Arsenal Under-21s' defeat by Chelsea on Tuesday.