Arsenal's Diaby sidelined after ankle surgery

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will miss the start of the new Premier League season after surgery on an ankle injury.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed on Friday that Diaby is currently undergoing a 10-week recovery programme after the operation, which took place earlier in pre-season, and he doesn't expect the France star to be back in action before the end of August.

Diaby was troubled by the ankle problem towards the end of last season and missed Arsenal's pre-season tour to Asia and the club's training camp in Germany as a result.

The 25-year-old is out of Arsenal's opening three Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as both legs of the Gunners' Champions League qualification play-off.

"Abou had ankle surgery during the break," Wenger told Arsenal's website. "Normally he should be back eight to ten weeks after his surgery, which means the end of August."