Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a fractured dislocated ankle during Monday's 3-0 win at Sunderland.

The French Under-19 international midfielder will now miss-out on the Champions League final against Barcelona and has ruled-out any slim chance the 19-year-old had of being called-up by France head coach Raymond Domenech for the World Cup Finals, after a tackle led to him being stretchered from the pitch.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was furious with Dan Smith, the Sunderland player who caught Diaby, after the challenge on his midfield protégé.

"Diaby looks to have a very serious injury, and that is in my opinion a shame because it was a bad kick and an unnecessary one,” said Wenger.

“It's a big blow to lose a player like that, and of course I feel very sorry for him because he has worked very hard to come back. I cannot celebrate the victory as I am very down because of Abou.”

Smith said after the match: “I didn’t mean to catch him, if it is a serious injury all I can say is that I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

Diaby moved to Arsenal from Auxerre in January after impressing Wenger with his skills – with the comparison to Patrick Vieira because of his similar stature.

“I like his potential, his physical power, the fact that he can win a fight in the middle of the park and the fact that he’s good going forward as well,” said Arsenal’s Coach in January.

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