Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Picture credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Arsene Wenger is looking forward to the return of Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere to his midfield

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger thinks midfielders Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere will be like new signings this season but has revealed that Wilshere will be missing until October.

While Diaby has come through the Gunners’ pre-season Asia tour with no new fitness worries, Wilshere’s ongoing injury problems mean he will miss the start of the new Premier League campaign.

“Hopefully, we will get Wilshere back playing for October,” said Wenger.

“With Abou Diaby returning, it will be like signing two new players.

“This season, the squad will be strong and competitive.”

While Wenger’s latest comments imply he is happy with his options, he is strongly linked with Malaga’s Santi Cazorla and Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin as midfield reinforcements.