Abou Diaby has agreed a new long-term
contract with Arsenal to keep the French midfielder at Emirates
Stadium until 2012.
The 21-year-old made his 55th appearance for the
Gunners on Tuesday as they returned to the top of the Premier
League with a 3-0 home win over Newcastle.
Diaby - who joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 - has previously
spoken of his desire to remain with the Gunners, despite
suggestions that he could move elsewhere.
And Diaby, who has tallied 21 appearances for the Gunners this
season, has now been rewarded with a extended deal.
Speaking after Arsenal's victory against Newcastle manager
Arsene Wenger told the club's official website: "Abou has
signed a new deal until 2012."
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Mathieu Flamini has also pledged
his commitment to Arsenal.
Flamini, who moved to Arsenal in 2004 from Marseille, has been
one of Arsenal's unsung heroes in a successful season which also
sees the Gunners preparing to face Milan in the first knock-out
round of the UEFA Champions League.
The Frenchman's current deal expires at the end of the campaign
and he could agree a pre-contract agreement with another club
during the January transfer window, but he insists he will not be
leaving North London.
"My priority is to stay here," Flamini added. "I'm very happy
here. I'm happy to play in the team and everything is good. My
representatives are talking with the club and I hope everything
will be good. I want to play game after game. The rest, we will see
later."
Flamini has also admitted the comfort he feels with his
team-mates, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb, in
Arsenal's midfield.
"We are very close on and off the pitch," Flamini continued. "We
chill with each other off the pitch. That is important. But when we
have to speak on the pitch we are doing it and finding a
solution.
"I cover Cesc, Alex and Tomas in the midfield. I'm trying be the
insurance policy and be a little bit bossy. That's my role. But I'm
also trying to help the players up front and help Cesc as well
because he is going forward.
"Sometimes he's tired and I try to help. Sometimes it's him and
sometimes it's me. But I think we are a very good complement for
each other."