The 28-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of the season but the veteran Gunners boss is open to giving the midfielder one more shot to prove his fitness and worth

Abou Diaby could be set to extend his stay at Arsenal despite his horror injury record, though Arsene Wenger has hinted that any new deal would only be on a pay-as-you-play basis.

The French midfielder, plagued by injuries throughout his career, has been restricted to just one first-team appearance this season against Southampton in the League Cup in September.

It is two years since Diaby last made it through back-to-back matches for the Gunners but he has finally shaken off a thigh problem to start training again and featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and looked set to depart Arsenal but Wenger says that he has offered the former Auxerre man the chance to remain at the Emirates Stadium on certain conditions.

“By me, yes [a decision has been taken]. I had a chat with him and told him how I can envisage the future. He has to make a decision,” revealed the Gunners boss.

“Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present on 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.”