Arsene Wenger believes Abou Diaby can fill the midfield void left by Alex Song.
Song played a pivotal role for The Gunners last season, contributing a massive 14 assists and ultimately helping the club finish third in the Premier League.
However, following his departure to Barcelona last month, Song has now left a big hole in Arsenal’s midfield, a position Arsene Wenger failed to strengthen during the transfer window.
But after watching Diaby start the first three games of the new season and pull out a great performance against Liverpool yesterday at Anfield, Wenger reckons the lanky Frenchman can be Arsenal’s new Song, but only if the 26-year-old manages to stay clear of injuries.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Brendan Rodgers’ side, Wenger said:
‘If he is fit and healthy then of course he has the talent [to replace Song] that you have seen today.
‘And of course there is more to come but let’s touch wood and hope it goes well in the next two or three weeks for him.’
Now I’ll be the first to say that Diaby had a great game against Liverpool yesterday. But it was only one performance.
He has the skill, physique and ability to shine at Arsenal now that Song has left the club, but can he really fill the Cameroonian’s boots? It’s just too early to tell at this point.
He’s got through the first three games of the season unscathed and has done alright so far, but there are still 35 Premier League matches to play, plus European and cup competitions to get through as well – can he sustain the pace and stay clear of injuries? History would suggest not.
I just hope Gooners out there don’t get too excited about Abou’s performance. Although it was a great one at Anfield yesterday afternoon, the France international is not a very consistent performer, which makes me think Wenger needed to sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Here’s hoping I’m wrong.
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Let’s hope this is his c’son to prove the doubters like me, I always doubt Diaby’s abilities to sustain his game throughout the c’son without picking the injury or on & off. Today Diaby can impress everybody & tomorrow he frustrates everyone.
If Diaby plays like he did yesterday then he can indeed be Vieira but he doesn’t have the goals like Yaya or the range of passing like Song. However if he can win balls in the midfield and dominate the middle of the park then he can be more Essien in his prime than anything else and that’s not a bad thing. I have slagged off Diaby more than enough times in the past as he dribbles into oblivion and passes to nobody. Yesterday he showed what he can do but until huge does it over the length of a season I’ll reserve judgment. He’s on his way to being the player Wenger thought he should be but unless he pulls a RVP and stays fit for a whole season and plays out of his skin, then we won’t know.
he suprise everyone me included.