Ramsey and Cazorla sign new Gunners contracts

Midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla have signed new contracts with Arsenal, the club have announced.

Meanwhile, injury-plagued Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby hopes he could be back in action before the end of the season – and has not give up on playing for France at the World Cup.

The 27-year-old suffered knee ligament damage in March 2013, and has not featured for the Gunners since.

However, Diaby – whose Arsenal career has seen a succession of setbacks starting from a fractured ankle in May 2006 – feels he is closing in on a long-awaited comeback.

“I will take stock with Arsenal medical staff early in April, but I hope to resume collective training sessions very soon,” Diaby told France Football.

“My priorities? Feeling fine and playing again before the end of the season. I don’t think I will be scared to play. I trust my body. Nowadays I feel strong, but I know coming back to London I will also have some changes. I am watching closely my diet and recovering periods.”

Diaby added: “I work hard without asking questions. I work hard because I know in the end I will play again.

“I am still a high level footballer in my mind, otherwise I would have given up, but I never think to give it up.

“Some people experience much more difficult things in their lives. I know my reward will be to have fun playing again.”

Diaby feels if he can produce a strong end to the domestic season with Arsenal, who are back in the race for the Premier League title after beating Tottenham and into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, then that could lead to a recall for the French national team.

“The French team? I have never abandoned the idea to go to the World Cup,” he said. “I have always kept that in a corner of my mind to go on working. As soon as I will be back on the pitch, everything is possible.”