Abou Diaby is one of the established French players in the arsenal squad. Koscielny expects fellow French players Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby will help him settle in north London.

"It is nice for French players to come and join a team like Arsenal, where there are so many other French players," Koscielny said. "It will help me to integrate easily in the team."

With the World Cup just around the corner, France appear to be realizing what Arsenal fans have sensed for a while - Abou Diaby could use the big stage to step out of the shadow of the great Patrick Vieira.

The 24-year-old plays for Arsenal in the role once filled by former France captain Vieira, who is now past his prime and not in national coach Raymond Domenech's squad for the June 11-July 11 finals.

The similarities do not stop there.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his side will need strengthening in the summer after they were humbled by Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

He said: 'We have to add something, for sure, but we have some time to think about that," he admitted. "We are at a stage where we're developing players.

'[Theo] Walcott is 22; [Nicklas] Bendtner is 22; [Samir] Nasri, [Abou] Diaby and Denilson are 22 or 23. They've shown some great qualities and they'll get stronger every year.

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Abou Diaby sustained knee ligament damage against Porto on Wednesday. The French midfielder picked up the knock during Arsenal's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Estadio do Dragao.

The Gunners are yet to determine the full severity of the problem, but accept that the 23-year-old could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Diaby's setback has been offset by positive news regarding Alex Song's fitness, but Wenger is still expecting to be short on numbers for Saturday's home date with Sunderland.