Arsenal and Abou Diaby were rocked by another injury blow after the midfielder was ruled out for nine months due to a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament.
Diaby injured his left knee in training Wednesday and subsequent scans have revealed the worst possible news for the powerful midfielder, who promised so much but was never really allowed to deliver as his body constantly broke down.
"The club can confirm that Abou Diaby injured his left knee in training on Wednesday and subsequent scans have confirmed that he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament," Arsenal said in a statement on their official website.
"Following consultations with specialists, Abou will undergo surgery to repair the injury in the near future. Abou is expected to be out for around eight to nine months.
"The thoughts and best wishes from everyone at Arsenal are with Abou, and we all wish him a successful recovery."
Diaby has been one of the unluckiest players in recent history, unable to get a run of games together to show his talents, as one injury after another continued to plague the Frenchman ever since joining Arsenal from Auxerre as a promising youngster in 2006.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were also dealt another blow for the upcoming English Premier League game against Reading with influential duo Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott ruled out due to injury.
Wilshere has not taken part for the Gunners since the North London Derby earlier this month, with the club deciding to give his ankles a rest following advice from doctors.
"We will rest him when it is needed," Wenger said. "He has regular scans and as soon as we have an alert we will respect it no matter what is at stake.
"He had a difficult moment of course when you told him (he would be rested) because he didn't feel any special pain.
"But he knows he has to take care of his future. Because he is a very young player, I think he accepts it."
Walcott injured his hip while on duty with England, which forced him to miss both the World Cup Qualifiers. Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt for the game due to a virus.