Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels Abou Diaby still has a role to play this season.

Diaby has just 54 minutes of first-team action under his belt this season but Wenger has faith in his compatriot - even if he won't select him for the Aston Villa game.

"Diaby is available again, but he should be in the group next week," said the manager. "I don't want to take any gamble on him now. Apart from that it will be the same squad as at Everton.

"He can be massive for us, but at the moment we have had so many setbacks with him that we don't want to take a gamble. He needs another game [for the reserves], and then he will be ready."