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Arsene Wenger confirms Abou Diaby will start vs. Southampton

Andrew Boyers / Reuters

It's been 584 days since Abou Diaby last played all 90 minutes of a match for Arsenal, but Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie between the Gunners and Southampton will see the injury-plagued midfielder take the pitch as a starter once again.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Arsene Wenger confirmed that Diaby, who was sidelined for all but the last match of the 2013-14 campaign with anterior cruciate ligament damage, is set to start in what will be a typically experimental lineup for the League Cup tie.

"Diaby is a giant, mentally," Wenger said. "To do what he has done, with the severe injuries he has had ... he comes back every time, is dedicated and he deserves a lot of respect. I'm a huge believer in his quality and I'm sad as well that he couldn't show it more. If there is some justice, the future will be much better for him."

The French midfielder played 90 minutes for Arsenal's under-21 side last week, marking the first time he'd played a full match in 19 months. He was also on the bench for Arsenal's 3-0 away win to Aston Villa on Saturday.

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