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Diaby Set to Step into Song’s Shoes
Abou Diaby is ready to step into Alex Song's - on his way to Angola for the African Nations Cup - midfield role as the Gunners look to keep up the pressure on log leaders Chelsea.
Song played his last game at West Ham, helping the Gunners into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
However, Arsène Wenger has plenty of options to decide just who will step in for Song. Denilson is one such option also not out of the running is Aaron Ramsey who impressed against West Ham, netting his second goal in as many appearances.
Diaby knows he faces competition for a starting berth, but the 22-year-old is ready to rise to the challenge. "I will talk about that with the manager and if he wants me to play in that position, I am happy to do it. We will see what happens," Diaby said. "Alex is a very important player in our team.
"Because he is going, we have to replace him and make sure we do the same job without him."
Diaby missed the 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea at the end of November through injury. It was a result which left the Gunners 11 points adrift and looking well and truly out of the title race once again.
However, Wenger's side have since won five out of six to haul themselves very much back into contention as Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled for consistency.
"We have the quality to beat every team and when we lost to Chelsea it was very frustrating, but we have won games since then and that is the most important thing," Diaby said.
"We showed that mentally we are strong because we had big games, but we kept winning."
Le Boss accepts Song will be a big loss, but is confident his injury-hit squad has enough depth.
"We will miss Song because he is an important player," said the Arsenal boss.
"In the system we play he plays in front of the defence and we will have to find a new balance without him."
Le Boss also admits he is searching the market for new talent, most notably in attack given that striker Robin van Persie is not expected back from a serious ankle injury until late April.
Andrey Arshavin (foot) is expected to be back soon, but Theo Walcott needs around another 10 days to recover from a side strain.
With players out and returning to fitness, Arsène Wenger will not allow Jack Wilshere out on loan - with Burnley the probably destination - until he has fully assessed what he has in reserve.
"I am not worried for Jack, he just needs to play. At the moment it's difficult for him to go on loan because we have nine players injured.
"We need some players to come back before he can go out on loan. I will wait until the end of January."
By Terry Dennis
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On this day in 1968
1968 - Arsenal right back Pat Rice gained the first of his 49 caps for Northern Ireland in the 3-2 victory over Israel in Jaffa.
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