Abou Diaby's future with Arsenal depends on fitness, Arsene Wenger says

Abou Diaby's tenure with Arsenal might not come to an end after all, as manager Arsene Wenger revealed his willingness to offer the Frenchman a new contract.

A new deal, however, depends on the one aspect of Diaby's game that the midfielder has struggled to control during his eight years in London: a clean bill of health.

Reports in November suggested the oft-injured Diaby would not be offered a new contract when his current one expires after the season, but Wenger says a new contract is in order, depending on Diaby's fitness by season's end.

"Diaby is on the fringe of coming back into full training, but he is not there yet – he has a calf problem," Wenger said, courtesy of the Daily Mail, before his team's match Saturday against Stoke City. "His injuries are never severe but little grade one tears. He is not available yet. If Diaby is fully fit, he will have a new deal at Arsenal."