Abou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2012.
The 21-year-old French midfielder has played 21 times this season after recovering from a broken and dislocated ankle sustained against Sunderland at the end of last season.
Manager Arsene Wenger is also hoping to tie midfielder Matthieu Flamini to the club on a new long-term deal.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is out of contract in the summer and talks are on-going.
Wenger said: “I am hoping to finalise it. He wants to stay, and I want him to stay – so we will find an agreement.
“I am not especially concerned, because I believe what he tells me.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal have completed the signing of Gillingham’s teenager prospect, Luke Freeman.
The 15-year-old has has joined the Gunners after a fee reported to be around £200,000.
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally said: “It is a shame for Gillingham to lose a special talent such as Luke but we cannot stand in the way of such a fantastic opportunity.
“Arsenal have gone about their business in a fair and commendable way so it was a pleasure to do the deal with them.
“They are a fantastic club and I know that they are the right ones to take Luke on and make him into a Premiership player.”
