Arsenal assistant manager Steve Bould says they're not giving up on Abou Diaby.

The midfielder has been ruled out nine months after suffering another knee injury.

"I've spoken to him very briefly," Bould told Arsenal Player. "I saw him just before he went for his scan. It's dreadful news for Abou.

"As we all know, he's had seven years of injuries and it takes a huge character to come back. Maybe it's a chance for him to correct everything that was going wrong. That's the positive that he can go forward with.

"He might use the seven or eight months to get rid of all those injuries that he was struggling with. We're all hoping and praying that he comes back a better player."