It's not all about Abou Diaby though - he may not even play after all that build-up.

In total we are treated to 10 League Cup ties on this murky Tuesday evening. Here's a full rundown (all 19:45 BST kick-offs apart from Fulham - which is 20:00 BST):

Arsenal v Southampton

Cardiff City v Bournemouth

Derby County v Reading

Leyton Orient v Sheffield United

Liverpool v Middlesbrough

MK Dons v Bradford City

Shrewsbury Town v Norwich City

Sunderland v Stoke City

Swansea City v Everton

Fulham v Doncaster Rovers

Of course, for every sell-out tour and critically acclaimed return there's a turkey; for every John Travolta in Pulp Fiction there's Guns n Roses and Chinese Democracy.

Will Abou Diaby rise to become 'like a new signing' for Arsenal once again? Or is his time well and truly up this time?

Getting through an hour unscathed must be his first target tonight as he starts his latest, long-awaited comeback from his own personal injury hell.

It's what the League Cup is all about.

Image source, EPA

The King himself, Elvis Presley in the 1968 special.

Kate Bush at the Hammersmith Apollo after 35 years away from the stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Rocky Balboa v Clubber Lang II.

Noel Edmonds with Deal or No Deal.

Abou Diaby v Southampton. League Cup third round. 2014.

Everyone loves a comeback. When they go well. Abou Diaby has had a rotten run of luck but tonight the comeback kid is back in business...