Arsene Wenger wants to "transform" Abou Diaby into a holding midfielder at Arsenal following his latest comeback from injury.
- Cross: Arsenal's injury crisis reflects Wenger's poor planning
Diaby, 28, made his first start for 18 months on Tuesday and managed 67 minutes as the Gunners were knocked out of the Capital One Cup following a 2-1 defeat at home to Southampton.
Since signing from Auxerre in January of 2006, the midfielder is reported to have suffered more than 40 injuries, while he has played just 16 Premier League games in three seasons.
However, Wenger is hopeful Diaby can now maintain his fitness and eventually adapt to a deeper role than he has previously been used to.
"I try to transform him because he was injured and has the physical potential to win the challenges. To face the game will be easier for him than to play back to goal with the injuries he had," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.
"I try to develop him in a deeper role. I think he can do it, he can be very interesting, he has all the attributes. He must need to love it as well because he's more of an offensive-minded player."
Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are Wenger's main options in defensive midfield, with the Gunners boss opting not to strengthen the position in the summer. He is also reluctant to use Jack Wilshere in the role, despite him having featured there for England.
Diaby was understandably off the pace against Southampton on Tuesday but Wenger still took some encouragement from his display.
"It was difficult for him [against Southampton]," Wenger added. "But he got 60 minutes, he was not injured and at some stage he has to play. He had 90 minutes at [Aston] Villa last week [for the under-21s], played 60 minutes tonight. He was not bad, it was acceptable as a performance, but he tired after an hour."