Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby may still play for Arsenal on Saturday, according to Goal.

The 26-year-old was absent for France’s 3-1 victory against Belarus last night after picking up a muscle strain in Les Blues’ victory in Finland on Friday night.

It was originally thought that Diaby would be unavailable for Arsenal’s encounter with Southampton on Saturday but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the injury will not keep the Frenchmen out of action for long, “[The injury] doesn’t seem serious to me at all. He has a small chance of playing.”

This will come as great news for Gunners’ fans who have revelled in the performances of their flamboyant central midfielder this season. An impressive start to the campaign for Diaby has meant that some pundits have likened the player to Arsenal’s greatest French midfielder, Patrick Vieira.

The French national team manager Didier Deschamps confirmed Diaby’s setback earlier this week, “Diaby took a bad shot and he has muscular discomfort. He is not free in his movements.” Seemingly Deschamps had rested Diaby as a precautionary measure in order to prevent any long lasting damage.

A long-term injury is certainly something that Diaby can afford less than most players after the languid Frenchman has been plagued by numerous setbacks in recent seasons. Last season Diaby was limited to just four substitute appearances in the Premier League due to ankle and calf problems amongst other niggling injuries in between.

Diaby will be hoping to build on his man-of-the-match performance away at Liverpool with a victory for his side when they entertain the Saints at the Emirates this weekend. Arsenal are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League so far this season and will be eager for Diaby’s French teammate Olivier Giroud to make his mark for his new side against the league’s bottom club.