Abou Diaby’s time at Arsenal may not be coming to an end just yet.

The injury-ravaged midfielder, who returned to action this week for a mixed XI side against Brentford, is out of contract in the summer and while Wenger has repeatedly said he would offer the Frenchman a new deal if he could show an ability to stay fit, not many thought it was a possibility.

Now, speaking at his pre-Liverpool press conference, the manager has admitted to having already held talks with the player and it seems as if a pay-as-you-play type deal could well be on the cards.

Admitting he had already taken a decision on Diaby’s future, Wenger added “I had a chat with him and told him how I can envisage the future. He has to make a decision.

“Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present in a consistent way. I will see where we go from there. I wouldn’t like to go into details, we have to meet again to see where we go from what I told him.

“It has to be linked a little bit with his presence.”

The midfielder has suffered terribly since he was crocked by Dan Smith’s tackle not long after arriving at the club and Arsenal have stood by him in a way that can only be considered admirable.

Considering retiring a number of times, Diaby has shown great mental strength to keep fighting to try and resurrect the career he had stolen from him by the Sunderland man.

Can he do it?

Sadly, it would seem unlikely but I’ve never wanted to be wrong about something as much as I do this.