Diaby ready to deputise for Song
ARSENAL midfielder Abou Diaby insists he is ready to take on the role of enforcer while Alex Song is absent at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon star Song has made the position his own this season but could be absent on international duty now until the end of January.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has previously identified Denilson as the most likely deputy for Song, but the Brazilian is short of fitness after a back injury.
Diaby, however, is in a rich vein of form and willing to take on a more defensive role in order to maintain Arsenal’s run of five wins from six games.
“I will talk about that with the manager and if he wants me to play in that position, I am happy to do it,” said the France star.
“We will see what happens. Alex is a very important player in our team. Because he is going, we have to replace him and make sure we do the same job without him.”
The next task for Wenger’s men is the visit of Bolton tomorrow evening, in which victory would lift them to second in the Premier League.
Midfielder Tomas Rosicky, meanwhile, has become the 15th player to sign a contract extension at the Emirates Stadium since May 2009.