Double blow for Gunner Diaby

Arsenal FC have confirmed that midfielder Abou Diaby "suffered a fractured, dislocated ankle" towards the end of yesterday's 3-0 defeat of relegated Sunderland AFC, ruling the 19-year-old out of the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona on 17 May in his native Paris.

'A shame'
Diaby, who has played 12 Premiership matches and appeared twice in the UEFA Champions League since his January transfer from AJ Auxerre, was hurt late in the game following a challenge that angered Arsène Wenger. The Arsenal manager said: "In my opinion the injury is a shame because it was a bad kick and an unneeded one. It is a big blow to lose a player like that. "

Missing out
Diaby left the field on a stretcher and will miss the remainder of the season. His injury will also be felt across the Channel, as Diaby was set to earn a place in the France squad to compete at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship from 23 May. Diaby made his U21 debut against Slovakia on 28 February but joins Toulouse FC defender Daniel Congré and LOSC Lille Métropole midfielder Mathieu Debuchy in being ruled out of the tournament in Portugal.