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Surely not again. After suffering an incredible and soul-destroying 39 injuries during his time with Arsenal, Abou Diaby is reported to have suffered another setback in his recovery from injury that will see him miss the start of the season.
Diaby missed the majority of last season after suffering a serious knee injury, but he returned to make an appearance in the final match of the season against Norwich. After the summer break and a full pre-season program, Arsenal were hopeful that Diaby would put his injury troubles behind him, but he is believed to have suffered a hip injury during the 1-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls last month.
The French midfielder was a notable absentee during last weekend’s Emirates Cup as he wasn’t named on the bench despite Arsene Wenger having just nine substitutes available. The 28-year-old is currently the Gunners longest serving player, but he has only made 179 appearances since joining in January 2006 and has been limited to 21 matches in the last three seasons.
He offers an alternative option for Wenger in the defensive midfielder role that has caused Arsenal issues in the past few years, with the Gunners still seeking their ‘next Patrick Vieira’ after the former captain made the central midfield role his own.
Show all 11 1 /11Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Wojciech Szczesny The goalkeeper came under criticism during the second half of last season for his momentary lapses in concentration, and with talk of both David Ospina and Iker Casillas set to arrive at the Emirates, the Pole will want to show Wenger why he was right to keep faith in him. Having seen off the challenge of Lukasz Fabianski for a number of years, Szczesny should continue as number one into the new season even if either Ospina or Casillas arrive.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Mathieu Debuchy Debuchy arrived as the replacement for the departed-Bacary Sagna, who joined Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of the season. Despite being favoured by France coach Didier Deschamps at the World Cup, many Arsenal fans felt Sagna enjoyed one of his best season’s before his exit, and Debuchy will have a lot to live up to if he is to justify his £12m move to the Gunners.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Calum Chambers Despite signing for the club this summer, Chambers looks set to start the Community Shield given that Per Mertesacker is yet to return to the club. The 19-year-old impressed during the Emirates Cup, but the Premier League champions will pose a major threat to the young English talent.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Laurent Koscielny The Frenchman formed a consistent partnership with Mertesacker last season, but his ability to play alongside Vermaelen still remains in the balance are a string of less than convincing showings over the past two years. Nevertheless, he has developed in to one of the key players among the current Arsenal squad, and has shown an eye for a goal when he is allowed to get in the box at set-pieces.
Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Kieran Gibbs Gibbs overcame a number of long-term injuries to solidify his place as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, seeing off the challenge of first Andre Santos and now Nacho Monreal. Hopwever, he is yet to reach the performances of his predecessors Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy, although at 24 years old he still has time to nurture his talent and rival Luke Shaw for the England left-back berth in the years to come. He brings a calmness to the Arsenal left flank, which tends to look rather exposed when he is absent.
Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Mikel Arteta The Spaniard is another whose future is up in the air due with interest coming from Italian side Fiorentina. However, Arteta has reaffirmed his commitment to his current club and his happiness at living in London, but he faces a task in holding on to his place in the starting XI given the wealth of options that Wenger has available in the middle.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Jack Wilshere Arsenal’s golden boy has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this summer, and he faces a potentially career defining season ahead of him that could determine his Arsenal future. With Aaron Ramsey enjoying his best season to date last year that saw him win the club’s player of the season award, Wilshere needs to push on or face being replaced in the first team. A number of injuries have not helped his cause, but a good start to the season could really help him cement his place for both club and country.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Alexis Sanchez Much like Özil, a lot will be expected to come from Sanchez on the basis that the Gunners shelled out – by their standards – a significant fee to sign him from Barcelona. Sanchez is blessed with speed and his natural instincts in front of goal should help him settle quicker than Özil, but he will be judged on his number of goals. Wenger could look to start him through the middle, although the absence of the injured Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recovery from injury is likely to see Sanchez start his Arsenal career on the right wing.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Aaron Ramsey The Gunners will be hopeful that Ramsey can maintain his level of performance from last season after appearing to overcome the thigh injury that kept him out for nearly four months last term. The Welshman was a prominent figure in the Gunners title challenge, and there is no reason why they can’t win further silverware next season with a fit Ramsey in the side. The confidence he should gain from scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup final should see him push on even further.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Santi Cazorla The Spanish magician is a wanted man with interest coming from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, but Arsenal fans will not want him to leave after showing moments of genius since arriving at the Emirates. He has the tendency to blow hot or cold, as he tends to go missing when he’s not at his best, but his best is a joy to watch. Faces a much bigger fight to keep his place this season following the arrival of Sanchez which could see the attacking midfield trio rejigged to accommodate the Chile star.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Olivier Giroud Despite calls for him to be replaced – or at least given support – Giroud is likely to continue as Arsenal’s lead striker, at least until the return to fitness of Walcott. Sanchez could take his place through the middle should he start the season slowly, but after showing more last season than he did in his first year with the club, there is an expectation that Giroud can push on further. If he can cut out his habit to miss clear-cut opportunities time and again, he could well contest the league’s top scorer award.
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There were hopes that Diaby would go the season injury-free to put the worst behind him – much like Tomas Rosicky has done at the North London club – but that hope is wearing thin and questions over his future in football will arise after he recently admitted to considering retirement due to injury.
There is not yet a timescale on a return to action, but he will miss Sunday’s Community Shield match at Wembley against Manchester City.
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