Arsenal boss Wenger: Diaby has future attacking role

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger can see a future attacking role for midfielder Abou Diaby.

For now, Wenger is happy for the Frenchman to sit in midfield supporting Cesc Fabregas.

He explained to arsenal.com: "I must say he is attracted like a magnet by the opponent’s goal.

"You do not want to take that out of the players when they are at such a young age but what we can be as well is a little bit more controlled. We do not need to have seven players running forward when you are 1-0 or 2-1 up with five minutes to go. That is something I have told him to take responsibility for in the team.

"He likes to play up front just behind the strikers and in time going on he will want to play there. But he is such a strong player in the challenge that I think he will play later in his career a bit deeper in front of the defenders. He is very quick and when he wins the ball he can accelerate the game and I can see him playing deeper.

"I think he has done extremely well since he came in. He gives us a good mixture because he is a player who is very strong in the challenge and we have been before a little bit criticised for being capable of being intimidated.

He is very strong in the challenge, good in the air, has a work rate and gives us good balance in midfield."